Precautionary measures against pneumonia (vaccines)

Pneumonia, as we have already mentioned, is an infection of the lung tissue and is one of the most common causes of illness worldwide. Before the discovery of antibiotics, it was one of the leading causes of death. Even today, according to World Health Organization statistics, it is the leading cause of morbidity and the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

The causes of pneumonia are bacteria and viruses. Those most vulnerable to developing severe pneumonia are individuals with chronic diseases and the elderly. These are the exact people targeted by preventive measures, the most important being vaccines against the flu virus and pneumococcus.

Flu is an acute viral infection that usually resolves on its own but can be complicated by primary or secondary pneumonia.

Pneumococcal pneumonia is a severe form of pneumonia caused by a bacterium called pneumococcal or 'pneumonia bacteria.' So, we present everything you need to know about vaccines.

Flu vaccine (Given intramuscularly once a year from September to November)

Flu vaccination is recommended for:

• Elderly people

• People who come into contact with high-risk patients (relatives or healthcare staff) and patients with:

• Chronic respiratory diseases (COPD, bronchial asthma, etc.)

• Chronic heart diseases

• Chronic kidney failure

• Diabetes

• Immunosuppression (medications, HIV, nephrotic syndrome)

• Hemoglobinopathies

Contraindications:

• Allergic individuals

• During pregnancy (1st trimester)

• Individuals with an active infection

Side effects: Rare and may include fever, muscle aches, allergic reaction

Pneumococcal vaccine

The pneumococcal vaccine is recommended for:

• Elderly people and patients with:

• Chronic respiratory diseases

• Chronic heart problems

• Chronic kidney Insufficiency

• Chronic liver insufficiency

• Diabetes mellitus

• People who have had a splenectomy

• Immune disorder syndrome

• Alcoholism

Contraindications:

• Active infection

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding Side effects: rarely fever – muscle aches, also local reaction (pain-swelling)

Available vaccines:

Pneumococcal Vaccines PCV13 / PCV20 / (Conjugate) Who gets it: Infants, children, adults ≥ 18 years, at-risk groups. Duration of protection: Long-term / practically lifelong immune memory (no booster required under normal circumstances)

PPSV23 (Polysaccharide) Adults ≥ 65 years and high-risk individuals. Duration of protection around 5–7 years → in high-risk groups, a booster may be needed after 5 years (note) The newer PCV21 has been approved and is expected to be available soon in Greece. It is given intramuscularly and can be administered at the same time as the flu vaccine, but in a different site.

• Recently, a vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus infection has been released (RSV), which concerns older adults, or patients with serious respiratory or heart conditions, or who are immunocompromised.

. Finally, we should mention the existence of the vaccine against the disease caused by the COVID-19 virus. For the vaccines (especially the mRNA ones) that were released during the pandemic, there are many international studies with conflicting results regarding their safety and effectiveness.

(from the book 'PULMONOLOGY at a glance' 2nd revised edition 2026, Author Nikolaos D. Chainis, Zevelekakis Publications)