San Jose, CA
A 59-year-old male asked:
do either of the two pneumonia vaccines, prevnar and pneumovax, prevent you from developing pneumonia after you catch the flu or maybe get covid-19?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Amrita Dosanjh answered
Pediatrics and Pediatric Pulmonology 36 years experience
No: No these vaccinations are to prevent illness caused by Strep pneumococcus bacteria.
92 views

Dr. James Ferguson answered
Pediatrics 46 years experience
Some basics: Both the flu and COVID-19 can invade the lung tissue and cause a pneumonia by themselves. Pneumonia is a generic label for a serious lung infection. The vaccines mentioned can help prevent you from developing a secondary pneumonia that sometimes follows such illnesses but they do not prevent severe viral pneumonia.
90 views
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Similar questions
San Jose, CA
A 49-year-old male asked:
Will getting either of the pneumonia vaccines, Prevnar and Pneumovax, prevent you from developing pneumonia if you catch the flu or covid?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Richard Roberts answered
Pediatrics 46 years experience
No: The vaccines prevent bacterial pneumonia. They have no effect on viral pneumonia.
82 views
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Apr 3, 2020
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