Pneumonia is a fung disease caused by streptococcus pneumonia bacteria that can infect the upper respiratory tract and spread to the blood, lungs, middle ear, or nervous system. Pneumonia can be spread from person to person through close contact.

Anyone can get pneumococcal disease but children under 2 years of age, people with certain underlying medical conditions, adults ages 65+ and people who smoke cigarettes are particularly at risk. Some of the underlying medical conditions that put people at risk for pneumonia include diabetes, chronic heart, lung, liver diseases or sickle cell anemia, asplenia, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). There are specific recommendations around who should receive the pneumonia vaccine—and recommended vaccine schedules—below.

Vaccines help prevent pneumococcal disease, which is defined as any type of illness caused by Streptococcus pneumonia bacteria. There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines available in Bangladesh:
1. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines: Prevnar 13 (PCV13)
2. Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine Penumovax23 (PPSV23), Prenovax 23

Children under 2 years old
The CDC recommends Prevnar 13 (PCV13) for all infants as a series of 4 doses (1 dose at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12 through 15 months).
Children 2 – 18 years old with certain medical conditions
Dosage varies based on medical conditions.
Adults 19 to 64 years of age with certain medical conditions or other risk factors
The CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for adults 19 through 64 years old who have certain chronic medical conditions or other risk factors.
Adult 65+
The CDC recommends the pneumonia vaccine for all adults 65 years and older who have not received a pneumococcal vaccine before or if their previous vaccine history is unknown.

• • Because of health issues or age, certain people should not receive certain vaccines or should wait before receiving them.
• • Children younger than 2 years old should not get Penumovax23 (PPSV23)
• • Anyone who has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to the pneumococcal vaccine or to any component of the vaccine should not get another dose. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any severe allergies.
• • Anyone sfsdfdsfsdfsdf who is moderately or severely ill should probably wait until they recover before getting the vaccine.
• • Pregnant women should consult with their OB/GYN before getting vaccinated. While there is no evidence that the pneumonia vaccine is harmful to either a pregnant woman or her fetus, as a precaution, women with conditions that put them at risk for pneumococcal disease should be vaccinated before becoming pregnant, if possible.

Mild-to-moderate side effects:
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines Prevnar 13 (PCV13)

• Redness, swelling, pain, or tenderness at the injection site

• Fever, loss of appetite, irritability, drowsiness, headache, and chills

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine Penumovax23 (PPSV23)

• Redness or pain at the injection site

• Fever, muscle aches, and drowsiness

Severe side effects are rare for pneumococcal vaccines but may include:

• Allergic reactions reactions

• Difficulty breathing

• Wheezing

• Hives

• Pale skin

• Fast heartbeat

• Dizziness

Over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help ease pain and reduce fever. It's extremely rare for these vaccines to cause serious harm or death. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any unexpected or worsening reactions after receiving a vaccine.