Pneumococcal or pneumonia vaccine
Pneumonia is swelling or inflammation of the tissue in one or both lungs. It's usually caused by a bacterial infection or a virus. The symptoms of pneumonia can develop suddenly over 24 to 48 hours, or they may come on more slowly over several days, and can include:
- a cough, which may be dry, or produce thick yellow, green, brown or blood-stained mucus or phlegm
- difficulty breathing. Your breathing may be rapid and shallow, and you may feel breathless, even when resting
- rapid heartbeat
- high temperature
- feeling generally unwell
- sweating and shivering
- loss of appetite
- chest pain, which gets worse when breathing or coughing
You can find out more about the symptoms and treatment of pneumonia on the NHS website
Vaccines are available as anyone can get a pneumococcal infection. The pneumococcal vaccine protects against serious and potentially fatal pneumococcal infections. It's also known as the pneumonia vaccine.
Some people are at higher risk of serious illness, so it's recommended they're given the pneumococcal vaccination on the NHS. Therefore, the vaccination is targeted at high risk groups only.
You can find out more about the pneumococcal vaccine on the NHS website.