CDC information on bacterial pneumonia vaccines:
Those choosing to get vaccine may have to look into which vaccine covers the serotypes that are most common in their area. PCV21 covers the most serotypes, but does not cover serotype 4 which is locally common in some areas and is covered by PCV20 or PCV15.
Why has the age dropped from 65 to >=50?
Thanks for sharing that link. We got our flu shots last month but haven’t yet gotten the pneumonia vaccine, and this was a good reminder. I doubt that our pharmacy’s techs can tell us which vaccine they have, so we’ll take our chances.
Walgreens has a pretty good online vaccine appointment process and can tell you what vaccines are available at what locations (if you are near a Walgreens).
Thanks. We don’t use the Walgreens near us after a bad experience there, but I can check their website and use that information to inquire at Publix.
I got my pneumonia vaccine a couple of weeks ago - didn’t know there was more than one kind; just checked and I got the Prevnar 20.
I did have a reaction - injection site got very red, hot, and swollen and was quite painful. I also had an injection-site reaction to my flu shot in September, but it was more severe with the pneumonia vaccine. I’d still rather have a painful arm for a week than pneumonia!
@Hippobirdy - the CDC made the recommendation in October lowering the age requirement. I’m not yet 65 but over 50. What I’ve read is that statistically the risk for pneumonia significantly increases around age 50.
I got the pneumonia vaccine in 2016 (age 59) after getting pneumonia that summer. Two friends my age both of whom lived within a few miles of me also came down with pneumo at the same time I was sick. None of us had any contact with each other prior to getting sick (they don’t even know each other) so it must have been “going around”.
I will add that I clearly remember having pneumo as a child and that likely makes me more susceptible.
My husband who has an autoimmune condition got the pneumonia vaccine before his 60th birthday. I really wish he had gotten the shingles shot instead, because he had a terrible case of shingles around his 60th birthday. He has since gotten the shingles series (as have I). At his last physical the doctor told him he needs a new pneumonia vaccine, now 5 years later. I think the strains covered by the new one are different. So, people should probably also find out exactly which one they got in the past and if they now need the new one.
I’d get any vaccines like shingles or pneumonia now, while they are still covered by insurance. That’s all I will say.
Do you know if insurance can change what they cover mid year? If we just finished open enrollment and the new coverage starts Jan. 1, should we be OK until Dec. 31?
Just wondering if I need to rush out in December to get it, or if I can wait a little bit… I’ll probably make H and I go sooner vs later, but I’m sure I’ll get the 
reaction from H. Not that he’s against them… It’s just it’s getting to be a lot. He’s never had pneumonia that I can remember. I had it for 3 months as a kid, and got it after the flu in 2005 (when they wouldn’t give us the flu shot because of shortages)
I would time my vaccines to be convenient. Not right before holidays. People do get reactions and sometimes need a day of rest. A number of people I know this fall who got the covid and flu shots together were out of commission for a day or two.
My husband and I got the pneumonia vaccine along with our usual flu and Covid vaccines. The reaction was no different than with a typical Covid vaccine (the flu shot just leaves me with a sore arm, so I’m pretty sure my usual reaction – mild fever, aches, etc. for about a day – is entirely to the Covid shot). My husband had no reaction at all other than soreness at the injection site, which is typical for him. Our insurance covered everything (as they have always done with flu/Covid vaccines).
Just my opinion, you should be good. Perhaps this CDC explanation may help.
I got mine the day after the CDC rec came out. I’d never had any sort of reaction other than a sore arm to any vaccination, but the pneumococcal vaccine did me in for about 3 days. No fever, but headache, sore arm, muscle aches. Misery!
Thinking I should get shingrix before my trip in two weeks, just in case.
Just warning you the shingrix is the shot that typically has the worst side effects. Also, you need two separated by a certain amount of time to be covered.
My pharmacist DH says they only give the most current version of the pneumonia vaccine.
I had a pneumonia vaccine around 2008 after having pneumonia three times in about five years (in my 30’s). The first time was a complication from the flu. We get our flu vaccines every year now! The second and third bout with pneumonia came on suddenly and totally out of the blue. I went from fine to pneumonia in a day. I haven’t had any more bouts of pneumonia since receiving the vaccine. I need to ask DH if I need an updated vaccine now that I’m over 50.
However, there are more than one “most current” versions, since none is a superset of serotypes of the others.
A PSA, there has been a surge of pneumonia cases this fall, esp mild, so-called “walking pneumonia” cases, caused by mycoplasma pneumoniae. This bacteria isn’t included in any of pneumonia vaccines.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is contagious and is spread by coughing
This strain of bacteria can be fatal in children under age 1 and can cause serious illness in preschoolers.
In adults, the infection will usually resolve itself without treatment, but its cough lingers and lingers and lingers. (D says it’s nicknamed the “100 Day Cough” in adults.)
That’s what I had. In the 1970s it was a pretty big deal
When you get an answer, post here. I had a pneumonia vax but it was in 2020.