Pneumonia Vaccination
The pneumonia vaccine, helps protect you against serious and potentially fatal pneumococcal infections. The Superdrug pneumonia vaccination service is available all year round via our Superdrug Health Clinics and is suitable for both adults and children.
About the vaccine
- Course: There are three different pneumococcal vaccines. All consist of one dose. The nurse or pharmacist will let you know which vaccine is suitable for you.
- Boosters: No boosters required.
- How it is given: Injection in the upper arm.
- Side effects: The vaccine can cause mild side effects, for example tiredness, a higher temperature and redness or swelling at the injection site.
- Children: Some Pneumonia vaccines are suitable for children. The nurse or pharmacist will let you know which vaccine is suitable for you.
Prices
| Per Dose | £30 - £100 |
| Doses per course | 1 |
| Price per course | £30 - £100 |
How it Works
Frequently Asked Question
About the Pneumonia Vaccination
The pneumonia vaccination helps protect against pneumococcal infections which are caused by the bacterium Streptococcus Pneumoniae. A pneumococcal infection can affect anybody and can lead to a range of serious illnesses including pneumonia, septicaemia, and meningitis.
The vaccine works by making your body produce antibodies that fight pneumococcal bacteria and the NHS estimates the pneumococcal vaccination is between 50 – 70% effective.
How much does the Pneumonia Vaccination cost?
There are three types of Pneumonia vaccination available via Superdrug Health Clinics:
- Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine – £100
- PCV (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) – £70
- PPV (pneumococcal polysaccharide) – £30
Your nurse or pharmacist will recommend which vaccine is best for you based on your age, health, and preferences.
Getting the Pneumonia Vaccination via the NHS
The Pneumococcal vaccination is available via the NHS, but it is only free of charge to those in the following high-risk categories:
- Babies under 2 years old
- Adults over the age of 65
- People with long term health conditions such as chronic kidney or heart disease
Why Get the Pneumonia Vaccination?
The Streptococcus Pneumoniae bacteria can lead to several diseases which can leave you feeling very unwell and in the worse cases, it could be fatal. These may include:
Pneumonia
Pneumonia causes inflammation in one or both lungs, making it very difficult to breathe. It is more common in certain high-risk groups, such as the very young, the elderly and those with long term, health conditions, but it is not inclusive of these groups and can affect anybody of any age or level of health.
Symptoms of pneumonia include difficulty breathing, a mucus cough, a rapid heartbeat, a high temperature, sweating, shivering, and generally feeling very unwell.
Any activity that causes damage to your lungs increases your risk of pneumonia. In order to prevent pneumonia, avoid smoking and inhaling second hand smoke. Drinking more alcohol than recommended can also weaken your lungs and make them more susceptible to infection.
It is also important to keep washing your hands regularly and disposing of any tissues you have coughed or sneezed into to reduce the spread of other viral infections which can cause pneumonia to become more complicated.
Ear infections
Ear infections can come on very quickly and may cause you to have pain inside the ear, a high temperature of over 38C, a lack of energy, difficulty hearing, a feeling of pressure in the ear, and itching or irritation in or around the ear.
Meningitis
Meningitis is an infection of the protective membrane that surrounds the spinal cord and brain, and if left untreated it can become very serious very quickly. It most commonly affects young babies, children, and young adults. However, as with pneumonia, it is not inclusive to these age groups, and anyone can contract meningitis.
Septicaemia
Septicaemia is a type of blood poisoning that is caused by large amounts of bacteria entering the bloodstream which can be potentially life-threatening.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis, or sinus infection, is caused when the sinus area is swollen. This is generally caused by bacteria and is common after someone has had a cold or the flu. It can cause pain, a reduction of smell, a high temperature, headache, and tenderness for 2-3 weeks.
Who can have the vaccine?
Not everyone can have the pneumococcal vaccine.
You can’t have it if you:
- have a vaccine allergy
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
- have a fever or temperature at the time of your appointment
How does it work?
The pneumococcal vaccine works by making your body produce antibodies that fight pneumococcal bacteria. Antibodies destroy organisms or bacteria carrying disease, and help fight off infections.
The NHS estimates that the pneumococcal vaccine is between 50-70% effective in preventing pneumococcal disease.
Side Effects of the Pneumonia Vaccination
The pneumococcal vaccination is very safe and does not contain any live bacteria. It is therefore unlikely that you will experience any symptoms of a pneumococcal infection from receiving the vaccine.
However, you may experience other side effects including:
Common side effects of the PCV vaccine include:
- Swelling, hardness or redness where the injection was given
- A small decrease in appetite
- Somewhat higher temperature
- Trouble falling asleep but also feeling sleepy.
More serious side effects may include a rash
Common side effects of the PPV vaccine include:
- Mild pain or hardness where the injection was given (1-3 days)
- Somewhat higher temperature
