My response to a question regarding pneumonia vaccines to prevent pneumonia on COVID19 Pandemic

The pneumonia vaccine targets one particular bacteria that through history has been the cause of a common, deadly pneumonia – Streptococcus pneumonia. This particular bacteria should not be confused with the Group A Streptococcus that causes “Strept throat” or the Group B Streptococcus that causes pregnancy and newborn complications.

People with the same chronic conditons that increase the risk of death from COVID-19 are at risk for pneumonia from Streptococcal pneumoniae and are recommended to get the vaccine. Pneumonia in patients with COVID-19 is generally a viral pneumonia from SARS-COV2, so no vaccine exists. However, other co0infections do occur. When the immune system is busy fighting one infection, you have fewer resources to fight a second or third.

So to answer your question, patients with the chronic conditions that put them at risk should discuss getting the Pneumococcal vaccine with their healthcare provider.We try to offer it to all patients with diabetes, chronic lung disease, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, etc.