Who Should Get a Pneumonia Shot?

At this time of the year we are all being urged to get a flu shot; most of us will comply. But there are many people who haven't even heard of vaccination against pneumonia (specifically the Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterium), let alone asked their doctor whether they should have this shot. Our attention is drawn to this by a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that adult smokers should be added to the list of those who should have the pneumonia shot. Here's the full list:

Everyone over 65.

Everyone aged 2 or older who has a weak immune system (e.g HIV, or on chemotherapy).

Everyone over 2 with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, kidney or lung disease, alcoholism, and heart disease.

People without a spleen, or who have sickle cell disease.

Smokers aged 19 or above.

While only 20% of US adults smoke, the risk of pneumococcal disease in smokers is such that they account for 50% of otherwise healthy adults with serious pneumococcal infections.

In the old days (before antibiotics) pneumonia was sometimes called "the old man's friend". It's been written: "Pneumonia is called the old man's friend because, left untreated, the sufferer often lapses into a state of reduced consciousness, slipping peacefully away in their sleep, giving a dignified end to a period of often considerable suffering". Maybe, for the very old, one should reserve pneumonia shots for those still otherwise enjoying good health and their full mental faculties.