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.
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Dr. James Ferguson answered
Pediatrics 46 years experience
Some basics: Pneumonia is a broad term that is used for a variety of germs that cause either localized or more general infection within the lung. These can be triggered by a variety of bacterial or viral agents. The pneumococcus family of germs is one of the worst out of many. Both of the vaccines mention can help your body build resistance to the pneumococcus strains in the vaccines but not all germs.
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Similar questions
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.
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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 1, 2020
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