26 Mar Pneumonia vaccine does not prevent COVID-19 pneumonia
33982521 – human lungs
Pneumonia is inflammation of the lung tissue causing consolidation of lung tissue and affecting the lung’s ability to exchange air. This inflammation is usually caused by bacteria or virus, but can also result from chemicals or trauma.
Pneumococcal pneumonia is caused by the bacterium, Strep pneumoniae, commonly called pneumococcus. Pneumococcus lives in the upper respiratory tract and normally infects ears and sinuses. Unfortunately, pneumococcal disease can result with serious infections, such as pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis. Worthy of note, pneumococcal pneumonia is also a common complication of influenza.
There are two vaccines available to treat pneumococcal pneumonia, Pneumovax and Prevnar-13. Discussion of when to give these vaccines is beyond the scope of this blog, but suffice it to say:
The common pneumonia vaccine given to older adults can not alter the course of coronavirus pneumonia.
YOU ARE NOT IMMUNE FROM GETTING CORONAVIRUS PNEUMONIA IF YOU HAVE GOTTEN THE PNEUMONIA VACCINE.
But there is a good chance that you will be less likely to get pneumococcal pneumonia as a complication of coronavirus, if you have had the pneumonia vaccine. I hope that makes sense!