Over the past few years, the nation has been focused on the prevention of COVID-19 in older adults. And while that’s still important, pneumonia is another health threat we cannot afford to ignore. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pneumonia was responsible for 41,309 deaths in 2021. Roughly 1.4 million people visited the ER that year with pneumonia as their primary diagnosis.¹

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia refers to an infection in which the air sacs in the lungs fill with fluid. When this happens, the oxygen you breathe in is not as readily absorbed by your blood. Pneumonia can affect one or both of the lungs.

Symptoms of pneumonia include fatigue, sudden onset of fever and chills, chest pain, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, and coughing that produces green or yellow fluid (sputum). The severity of this illness can range from mild to life-threatening.

What causes pneumonia?

Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. However, its most common cause is the bacterial strain Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus). Infections caused by these bacteria are generally referred to as pneumococcal disease. They can attack different parts of the body such as the bloodstream and/or vital organs.

There are three primary types of pneumonia:

• Community-acquired pneumonia: When a patient develops pneumonia outside of the healthcare setting.
• Healthcare-associated pneumonia: When a patient develops pneumonia during or after a stay in a hospital or long-term care facility.
• Ventilator-associated pneumonia: When a patient develops pneumonia after being on a ventilator (breathing machine).

Who is at risk for developing pneumonia?

Adults over 65 are particularly vulnerable to developing pneumonia—even if they’re healthy and active. They are also more likely to die from pneumonia. In fact, pneumonia-related hospitalization has a higher risk of death for older Americans than any of the other leading causes of hospitalization. This is because as we age, our immune system weakens and cannot fight off pathogens as effectively. Older adults are also more likely to have chronic health conditions (comorbidities) and other risk factors. These can increase the likelihood of developing pneumonia, and include:

• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
• Compromised immune system due to chemotherapy, HIV/AIDS or other factors
• Congestive heart failure
• Cystic fibrosis
• Smoking tobacco
• Dementia
• Diabetes
• Liver or kidney disease
• Recent respiratory infection

How is pneumonia treated?

Treatment for pneumonia depends on the cause of the infection and its severity. Mild cases can usually be treated at home. Hospitalization may be required for cases that have progressed. In general:

• If you develop pneumonia from bacteria, you may be given antibiotics orally or intravenously (IV).
• If your pneumonia is caused by a virus, antiviral medications may be given, but treatment is typically limited to supportive care. This includes rest, plenty of fluids, and over-the-counter (OTC) medications to help ease symptoms. In some cases, supplemental oxygen therapy may be administered.

How can older adults prevent pneumonia?

Regular hand washing and a healthy lifestyle (including not smoking) can help keep pneumonia and other illnesses at bay. But the most important thing you can do to prevent pneumonia is get the pneumococcal vaccine. 

CDC recommends adults age 65 and older get vaccinated to help prevent some forms of pneumonia. The same guidance applies to adults age 19 to 64 with certain underlying medical conditions (e.g., chronic heart or lung disease, HIV infection, diabetes) or certain risk factors (e.g., smoking, alcoholism).

For both groups of patients, a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended. This can be either:

• A dose of PCV20 (Prevnar 20), or
• A dose of PCV15 (Vaxneuvance); this should be followed by a dose of PPSV23 (Pneumovax 23) one year later, with a minimum interval of eight weeks as deemed appropriate for certain patients

This guidance applies to patients who have not previously received a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or whose vaccination history is unknown. Ask your doctor which pneumococcal vaccine is right for you.

Older adults should also get the flu vaccine (the high-dose version) every year, since pneumonia is a common complication of the flu.

Does Medicare pay for flu and pneumonia shots?

Yes. If you have Medicare, in most cases, your Medicare Part B plan will cover 100% of the pneumococcal vaccine once in your lifetime. Part B also covers one flu shot every flu season and additional flu shots if deemed medically necessary. This means you should have no out-of-pocket costs if you get your vaccines from a health care provider who accepts Medicare. If you have Medicare Advantage, you may have to use an in-network doctor or pharmacy.

Where can you get the Medicare-covered pneumonia vaccine?

If you’re over the age of 65, getting your vaccines is an important part of healthy aging—and they also help ensure the health of your friends and family. If you haven’t received your pneumonia or other vaccines, check with your Medicare provider about where you can get them or visit Vaccines.gov. You can usually get vaccines at your doctor’s office or at your local clinic or pharmacy.

“As we age, our immune systems can weaken, making us more susceptible to certain diseases and infections like pneumonia, COVID, and the flu,” said Kathleen Cameron, Senior Director of the NCOA Center for Healthy Aging. “Vaccines help bolster the immune response, providing highly effective protection against serious and potentially deadly complications. It's critical for older adults to talk to their doctor about their vaccination needs and schedule to make sure they're well-protected year-round.”

Sources

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Center for Health Statistics. Pneumonia. Found on the internet at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/pneumonia.htm