Pneumonia Vaccination Service
What is Pneumococcal Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a type of chest infection. It affects the tiny air sacs in your lungs, called alveoli. When you have pneumonia, these air sacs get inflamed and fill with fluid. This makes it harder for you to breathe. Pneumonia infections can happen all year round but more people get pneumonia in winter. This is because respiratory viral infections that spread easily from person to person, such as flu, are more common in the winter months, and these increase your risk of developing pneumonia.
Each year in the UK, about 5-10 adults out of every 1,000 get pneumonia.*
The service costs £30 to £78 depending on which vaccine is most suitable for you. There are 3 vaccines available. Our pharmacist will recommend the most suitable for you based on your age, health and preferences.
What causes pneumonia?
Many kinds of bacteria and viruses can cause pneumonia. The most common type of pneumonia is community-acquired pneumonia.
Community-acquired pneumonia is much less contagious than flu or a cold, because most people’s immune systems can kill the bacteria that causes it before they can cause an infection. Most people with community-acquired pneumonia are unlikely to give the disease to another person.
As well as community-acquired pneumonia, other types include hospital-acquired, viral, aspiration (food going down the wrong way) and fungal (rare in the UK).
Who should be vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia?
You can get pneumonia at any age. Some groups of people are at higher risk and should take extra care to reduce the chances of catching pneumonia. High risk groups include:
- Smokers
- Residents of care homes
Those who suffer from:
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Respiratory Disease
- Kidney Disease
- A weakened immune system
- Asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen
Book an appointment with our pharmacy team. You will be asked a few questions to see if you are eligible and our qualified pharmacist will administer the vaccine in the privacy of the consultation room.
It is best to have the vaccine in early autumn before any outbreaks of influenza. However, you may also may want to consider it when travelling abroad.
It is particularly important to have your vaccine if you are in any of the "at risk" groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the vaccination cost?
＋
The service costs £30 to £78 depending on which vaccine is most suitable for you. There are 3 vaccines available. Our pharmacist will recommend the most suitable based on your age, health and preferences.
There are 3 vaccines available:
-
Pneumovax 23 £30
-
Prevenar 13 £70
-
Apexxnar £78
| Vaccine Name | Number of strains protected against | Eligibility Age | Immunity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pneumovax 23 | 23 | 2 years and over | Unknown with immuno compromised patients - suggest revaccination every 5 years |
| Prevenar 13 | 13 | 6 weeks and over |
Long lasting |
| Apexxnar | 20 | 18 years and over |
Long lasting |
What are the pneumonia symptoms?
＋
Pneumonia is swelling of the tissue in one or both lungs (double pneumonia). One of the most common symptoms of pneumonia is a cough. This can be dry or mucus producing (yellow, green, brownish or blood-stained).
Other common symptoms are:
- Difficulty breathing
- Rapid heartbeat
- Fever
- Feeling generally unwell
- Sweating and shivering
- Loss of appetite
- Chest pain
As the symptoms of pneumonia vary and are similar to those of other chest infections, many people do not realise they have pneumonia until they visit a doctor.
How do I book the vaccination?
＋
You can book your appointment here
Or you can;
- Ring your local Rowlands Pharmacy
- Ask the team, if you are already in-store
You will be asked a few questions to see if you are eligible. Our qualified pharmacist will administer the vaccine in the privacy of the consultation room.
It is best to have the vaccine in early autumn before any outbreaks of influenza. However, you may also may want to consider when travelling abroad.
If you belong to one of the high risk groups mentioned, it’s particularly important that you have your vaccine.
What should I expect at my appointment?
＋
Before your vaccination, please tell your pharmacist if:
- You feel unwell, have a temperature or are currently suffering from an infection
- You have had any other vaccinations or immunisations in the last 3 months
- You have ever fainted or felt dizzy after receiving an injection
- You have any known allergies, for example hen’s eggs, latex or antibiotics
- You are taking any other medications
- You are pregnant
Following the vaccination you may experience some slight side effects. If you:
- Have a sore arm, apply a cold compress
- Suffer from a headache or slight fever, drink plenty of water and take painkillers if suitable
- If your symptoms persist for over 48 hours please contact your GP surgery or NHS 111
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