10/12/2025
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. Many different germs can cause it, including bacteria and viruses. The good news is that we have vaccines that protect against some of the most common and serious causes of pneumonia.
For many years, weโve had vaccines to protect against:
- Pneumococcal infections (a common bacterial cause of pneumonia)
- Influenza (the flu), which can lead to pneumonia, especially in vulnerable people
Who should be vaccinated? โ Vaccination is particularly important for adults age 65 years or older, as well as any adults who smoke, have a weakened immune system, or have certain chronic illnesses that will predispose to serious illness if they should happen to develop pneumococcal pneumonia.
Specific vaccination recommendations vary by age and other factors. Your health care provider can talk to you about what is most appropriate for your situation as well as which vaccine (or combination of vaccines) they recommend. In some cases, experts recommend getting both types of pneumococcal vaccine; in this case, they are typically given at least a year apart, although there are certain situations in which they may be given closer together.
In general, experts suggest vaccination for:
โAll adults 50 years and older
โAdults (over the age of 18 years) with any of the following:
โขSmoking
โขChronic heart disease, including congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy (but not including high blood pressure)
โขChronic lung disease, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
โขDiabetes mellitus (unless very well-controlled)
โขAlcohol use disorder
โขChronic liver disease
โขChronic kidney disease
โขCerebrospinal fluid leak
โขCochlear implant
โขPoor function of the spleen (this includes people who have had their spleen removed and those with sickle cell disease or another disorder that causes spleen damage)
โขA weakened immune system, for example, due to certain cancers, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, organ transplant, or medications that suppress the immune system
Source: UptoDate 2025
