Pneumonia vaccine

MinuteClinic® offers the pneumococcal conjugate 20 vaccine (PCV20) and pneumococcal polysaccharide 23 vaccine (PPSV23) vaccine. Some locations offer the pneumococcal conjugate 15 vaccine (PCV15) for children ages 18 months and older.

These vaccines work to prevent certain bacterial causes of pneumonia (specifically Streptococcus) and do not work against fungal or viral infections.

A MinuteClinic provider can discuss a person’s health history and help determine which vaccine is appropriate. They can also administer the vaccine.

1. You may have to answer a few questions to help us prepare for your visit prior to scheduling your appointment.

2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment:

   If you made your appointment online:
   Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.

   If you made your appointment in the clinic:
   Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

   If you made a MinuteClinic Virtual Care® appointment:
   To join your virtual visit, use the link in the email or text message we sent you to confirm your appointment. Please join 15 minutes before your scheduled visit time. You will need your date of birth, email address and phone number to join the visit.

3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.
4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.
5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, a receipt and educational material. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

It’s recommended that the following groups be vaccinated against pneumonia:*

• Children under 5 years old
• Children over 5 years old who have missed vaccination
• Adults 50 years old and older
• Children and adults that have an increased risk of pneumonia

Certain behaviors and conditions can also increase a person’s risk of getting pneumonia:*

• Alcohol or substance abuse
• Chronic lung diseases, such as asthma and COPD
• Exposure to certain chemicals, pollutants or toxic fumes
• Hospitalization
• Neurological conditions, such as dementia or Parkinson’s disease
• Recent illness from a respiratory virus like the cold or flu
• Serious chronic diseases, such as diabetes or heart disease
• Smoking
• A weakened immune system

Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, fungi or viruses. The most common type of pneumonia is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Pneumonia caused by fungi is rare. It’s usually caused by fungi local to specific areas.* Blastomycosis, histoplasmosis and Valley Fever are all types of fungal pneumonia.

Pneumonia caused by a virus is common among children,* older adults and adults with a weakened immune system. Many viruses can cause pneumonia, including COVID-19, the common cold, the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). 

Pneumonia has different symptoms depending on whether it was caused by bacteria, fungi or a virus. These are common symptoms* that occur in all types:

• Chills
• Coughing
• Discomfort when breathing or coughing
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Low energy

A MinuteClinic provider can discuss a person’s health history and help determine which vaccine is appropriate. They can also administer the vaccine.