How long does a pneumonia vaccine shot last?

A pneumonia vaccine shot may last you a lifetime, but it also depends on:

• Which type of vaccine you get
• Your overall health
• Your age

Adults usually only need one shot. Babies and children need a series of 4 shots. A vaccination can help prevent pneumococcal disease caused by streptococcus pneumonia bacteria, it may help to reduce complications and make the infection shorter and milder.

The CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccines for children younger than 5 years and adults 65 years and older. Certain Individuals with an increased risk for pneumococcal disease may also be recommended extra vaccination.

The CDC has vaccine schedules for the timing of pneumococcal vaccine doses in adults, who may require extra vaccinations due to health conditions increasing their risk for pneumococcal disease.

There are two types of Pneumococcal vaccines:

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs)

• Vaxneuvance (15)
• Prevnar 20
• Capvaxive (21)

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine

• Pneumovax 23

Prevnar 20

Prevnar 20 is an FDA-approved vaccine used:

• invasive disease in individuals 6 weeks of age and older caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 8, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F, and 33F.
• pneumonia (lung infections) in individuals 18 years of age and older caused by S. pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 8, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F, and 33F.
• otitis media (ear infections) in individuals 6 weeks through 5 years of age caused by S. pneumoniae serotypes 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F.
• is a 4-dose series for children.
• is a one-dose once for adults 18 and over

Pneumovax 23

Pneumovax 23 is FDA approved vaccine used:

• in individuals 50 years of age or older for the prevention of pneumococcal disease caused by S. pneumoniae serotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6B, 7F, 8, 9N, 9V, 10A, 11A, 12F, 14, 15B, 17F, 18C, 19F, 19A, 20, 22F, 23F, and 33F
• and persons aged ≥2 years who are at increased risk for pneumococcal disease caused by the 23 serotypes contained in this vaccine.
• Is a single dose
• It is not used in children younger than 2 years of age as generally they have a poor antibody response to it.

Related questions

• Prevnar 20 vs Pneumovax 23: Which vaccine is right for you?
• Do I need a Pneumonia Vaccine?
• What Vaccines do I need if I'm over 50?

Vaxneuvance

Vaxneuvance is FDA approved vaccine used:

• individuals 6 weeks of age and older for the prevention of invasive disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, 22F, 23F and 33F
• as a 4-dose series at 2, 4, 6 and 12 through 15 months of age, the first dose may be given as early as 6 weeks of age
• as a single dose in adults 18 years of age and older.

Capvaxive

Capvaxive is FDA approved vaccine used:

• individuals 18 years of age and older for the prevention of invasive disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 3, 6A, 7F, 8, 9N, 10A, 11A, 12F, 15A, 15B, 15C, 16F, 17F, 19A, 20A, 22F, 23A, 23B, 24F, 31, 33F, and 35B in (1) • active immunization individuals 18 years of age and older for the prevention of pneumonia caused by S. pneumoniae serotypes 3, 6A, 7F, 8, 9N, 10A, 11A, 12F, 15A, 15C, 16F, 17F, 19A, 20A, 22F, 23A, 23B, 24F, 31, 33F, and 35B in individuals
• Is given as a single dose.