What Vaccines Are Recommended For Adults
The vaccines you need as an adult depend not only on your age, lifestyle, overall health, pregnancy status, and travel plans but also on who you are in close contact with and what vaccines you had as a child.
Talk to your doctor about which vaccines you need. Common adult vaccines include:
- Flu.
In some states, pharmacists can give some of these shots.
At What Age Should I Get These Vaccines
PCV13
- All children younger than the age of 2
- People age 2 and up with certain medical conditions such as heart or lung disease
- Adults age 65 and older after discussion with your health care professional
PPSV23
- People age 2 to 64 with certain medical conditions
- Adults age 19 to 64 who smoke cigarettes
- All adults age 65 and older
Does Medicare Cover Pneumovax 23 And How Much Does It Cost
Pneumovax 23 is usually not covered under Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans, but is covered under Medicare Part B as a medical benefit. If you’re not covered, ask the clinic or hospital where you receive Pneumovax 23 injections if they will accept a SingleCare Pneumovax 23 coupon you could pay only $138.31 per 0.5, 0.5ML of 25MCG/0.5ML Injectable.
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Tips For Getting Vaccinated At The Pharmacy
You’ll no doubt remember if you’re due for your annual flu shot. But for other vaccinations, it’s a good idea to check with your physician about what immunizations are recommended for you based on your age and medical history.
Pharmacists in all states are allowed to administer a long list of vaccinations, but state laws varyfor example, you can’t get hepatitis vaccines at the pharmacy in New York. Also, in some states, certain vaccines require a doctor’s prescription. When in doubt, check with your pharmacist.
According to Catizone, the following tips can help getting your vaccinations at the pharmacy go smoothly:
What Are The Side Effects Of The Pneumonia Vaccines

PCV13 and PPSV23 can both cause mild side effects. Both pneumococcal vaccines are given in the arm and are injected into muscle. Children and adults may experience arm soreness, swelling, or redness where the shot was injected. Other side effects that may occur in adults include:
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Fatigue
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Drowsiness
PCV13 should not be given to children at the same time as the annual flu shot, because of an increased risk of . These seizures are caused by a high fever and occur in up to 5% of children under 5. They can be scary, but dont cause any long-term health problems.
The good news is that the side effects will resolve on their own within a few days.
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What Are Some Reasons To Get Immunized
- Immunizations protect you or your child from dangerous diseases.
- They help reduce the spread of disease to others.
- They are often needed for entrance into school or day care. And they may be needed for employment or for travel to another country.
- Getting immunized costs less than getting treated for the diseases that the shots protect you from.
- The risk of getting a disease is much greater than the risk of having a serious reaction to the vaccine.
- When immunization rates drop below a certain level, preventable diseases show up again. Often, these diseases are hard to treat. For example, measles outbreaks still occur in the U.S.
If you are a woman who is planning to get pregnant, talk to your doctor about what immunizations you have had and what you may need to protect your baby. And if you live with a pregnant woman, make sure your vaccines are up-to-date.
Traveling to other countries may be another reason to get immunized. Talk with your doctor months before you leave, to see if you need any shots.
About Vaccinations At Hy
You can skip the doctors office and receive vaccines by a pharmacist who is trained and certified in administering vaccinesno appointments necessary.* Theres also no prescription required. Plus, if youre not sure which vaccines you may need, well provide you with a free immunization screenings checklist to help you decide.
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How Often Do You Need To Get The Pneumonia Vaccines
Sometimes, vaccines require a booster shot. This means that an additional shot is given after the initial one to make sure that you dont lose immunity over time.
PCV13 never requires a booster shot in children or adults after all recommended doses are received.
Sometimes, PPSV23 requires a booster shot, depending on when and why it was given:
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Children who get PPSV23 due to certain health conditions, like cancer and conditions that weaken the immune system, need a booster 5 years after the first dose.
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Adults who get PPSV23 before age 65 should get one booster at least 5 years after the first dose, once theyve turned 65. No booster is needed if the first dose is given after age 65.
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Adults with a weakened immune system and other specific conditions should have another dose 5 years after their first dose, and then one more dose at least 5 years after their most recent dose, once theyve turned 65.
All Walgreens Locations Will Offer Covid Vaccinations By Early Spring Executives Say
While appearing at a Healthy Returns Spotlight Event hosted by CNBC on Feb. 9, Rick Gates, Walgreens senior vice president of pharmacy and health care, predicted that practically all locations of the nationwide chain would have access to doses by early spring.
“I’d say late March, early April will be the timeline that you’ll have it more broadly across all of our stores across the nation of pharmacies and other places to start vaccinations,” he said. And for more on where you can get vaccinated at Walgreens now, check out If You Live in These States, You Can Get Vaccinated at Walgreens This Week.
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What Is The Pneumonia Vaccine
There are currently two types of pneumococcal vaccines that cover different strains of a common type of bacteria that can lead to pneumonia. This type of bacteria poses risks for young children but can also be risky for those who are older or have compromised immune systems.
The two vaccines are:
- pneumococcal conjugate vaccine
- pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine
According to recent data, the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommend that people who are 65 and older should get the Pneumovax 23 shot.
However, both vaccines may be needed in certain circumstances when there is greater risk. These situations can include:
- if you live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
- if you live in an area with many unvaccinated children
- if you travel to areas with a large population of unvaccinated children
Here is a comparison between the two available vaccines:
PCV13 | |
---|---|
Protects against 13 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae | Protects against 23 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae |
No longer routinely given to people 65 and older | One dose for anyone 65 years and older |
Only given if you and your doctor decide it is needed to protect you from risk, then one dose for those 65 and older | If you were already given PCV13, you should get PCV23 at least 1 year later |
Pneumonia vaccines can prevent serious infections from the most common strains of pneumococcal bacteria.
Possible side effects
Is There A Generic Of Pneumovax 23
Pneumovax 23 is a brand-name pneumococcal vaccine. Prevnar 13 is another brand-name pneumococcal vaccine. Generic pneumococcal vaccines are not available at this time. Your doctor can advise you on a vaccine schedule. You will likely receive one vaccine with Prevnar 13, and one vaccine with Pneumovax 23, about one year apart, as an adult. Search for Prevnar 13 on the SingleCare website or app for more information and savings coupons.
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Other Types Of Pneumococcal Disease
Pneumonia vaccines protect against pneumococcal infections in other parts of the body. These infections include:
Otitis media
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What is it: An infection in the middle part of the ear.
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Symptoms: Fever, ear pain, and decreased hearing
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Who gets it: In the U.S., over 5 million children get it each year. Pneumococcus is a common cause of ear infections. It is found in up to 30% of samples of middle ear fluid.
Sinusitis
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What is it: A sinus infection, which is often first caused by a virus. Later, a bacterial infection can set in, causing worsening or ongoing symptoms.
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Symptoms: Pain and pressure around the eyes and nose, fever, drainage, and congestion
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Who gets it: Sinus infections are more common in adults than in children. Pneumococcus is a common cause and may contribute to up to 35% of sinus infections.
Meningitis
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What is it: An infection of the leptomeninges, or the tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can be life-threatening, so getting immediate treatment is important.
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Symptoms: Fever, confusion, headache, and neck stiffness
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Who gets it: Pneumococcal meningitis usually occurs in very young children and older adults. In the U.S., pneumococcus is the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in children under age 5.
Bacteremia
These infections can also be caused by other bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Pneumococcus, the pneumococcal vaccines, is only one cause.
Does Medicare Pay For Flu Shots At Walgreens

Flu season is around the corner, and we havent yet made it out of Covid-19, so its really important to make sure that our elderly loved ones get their flu vaccines as soon as they become available.
Medicare Part B will cover a flu shot at Walgreens. There is no deductible for flu shots, and as Walgreens are Medicare-enrolled and accept assignment, so there is no coinsurance to pay.
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Ramping Up Health Services
It recently decided to invest an additional $5.2 billion in VillageMD, a primary care company that will run clinics inside of Walgreens stores and is on track to go public in 2022. It also acquired a majority stake in home health-care company, CareCentrix, and specialty pharmacy company, Shields Health Solutions.
Along with ramping up on health-care services, Walgreens will step up its cost savings goal to $3.3 billion by 2024. It decided to raise that goal after shaving off $2 billion in costs, Chief Financial Officer James Kehoe said.
Brewer stepped into the top leadership role of Walgreens in mid-March after serving as chief operating officer of Starbucks and CEO of Walmart-owned Sam’s Club.
She said for her, the health-care mission is personal. At the company’s investor day, she recalled the final months of her mother’s life, when her family juggled medical bills, numerous doctors and kidney dialysis appointments. The experience, she said, was “incredibly confusing and unwieldly and burdensome.”
She said that distracted her family from what should have been the focus: enjoying the remaining time she had with her mom.
For so many Americans, she said that is the same experience â and one that Walgreens aims to solve by weaving together primary care with pharmacies and freeing up more of employees’ time to help patients.
How Much Does Pneumovax 23 Cost With Insurance
Your copay for Pneumovax 23 vaccination with insurance will vary depending on your plan. However, Pneumovax 23 will sometimes be covered by your health insurance as a medical benefit rather than a prescription drug benefit. Ask the clinic or hospital where you receive Pneumovax 23 injections if they will accept a SingleCare Pneumovax 23 coupon you could pay only $138.31 if they do.
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Other Pharmacy Chains Are Also Currently Offering Vaccinations
Other well-known retailers have also become hubs for COVID immunizations. Walmart, for example, began offering vaccinations to healthcare workers in Arkansas and New Mexico before expanding the service to the public in five more states in early February. The superstore plans to continue expansion of the service as supplies become available to do so.
“As we look to a future when supply can meet demand and more people are eligible to receive the vaccine, we plan to offer the vaccine seven days a week at our pharmacies, through planned in-store vaccination clinics, and through large community events,” Walmart Executive Vice President Cheryl Pegus said in a Jan. 22 statement. “At full capacity, we expect we will be able to deliver 10-13 million doses per month when supply and allocations allow.” And for more on other recognizable names offering shots, check out If You Live in These States, You Can Get a COVID Vaccine at CVS Next Week.
Best Life
What Is The Difference Between These Two Vaccines
There are two differences between the two vaccines: how many types of bacteria it protects against, and how the vaccine is made.
Prevnar 13 is the brand name for the PCV13 vaccine. The PCV13 is a conjugate vaccine. This means that it contains the sugar part of a bacteria and a protein. The 13 tells you that it protects against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria. You might hear it referred to as the new pneumonia vaccine. Prevnar 13 replaced the Prevnar vaccine, which only protected against 7 types of pneumococcal bacteria.
Pneumovax 23 is the brand name for the PPSV23 vaccine. The PPSV23 is a polysaccharide vaccine. A polysaccharide is a sugar molecule that is often found on the surface of bacteria. This vaccine contains only the sugar part of the bacteria. The 23 tells you that it protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria.
Both vaccines help protect against infection of the blood and lining of the brain. The PCV13 vaccine also helps protect against pneumonia.
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Why Should The Elderly Get Flu Shots
The following text makes a compelling argument for the elderly to get immunized against the flu.
Each year in the United States, 9 out of 10 flu-related deaths and 6 out of 10 flu-related hospital stays occur among people aged 65+. An annual flu shot is one of the best preventive measures to help protect against the flu. The shot is available in both a regular strength dose and a high dose that provides extra immunity, which is often recommended for older adults.
The text is from the NCOA Center for Benefits access Vaccines: What Medicare pays forwhich you can read here.
The immune system is less able to defend your body against infections and viruses the older you get.
Unfortunately, this also means the older a person is, the more likely they are to catch the flu when they are to come into contact with the virus.
On top of this, the older you are, the more likely you are to develop serious complications from the flu, such as pneumonia.
The flu is an even greater risk for over 65s who have underlying health conditions causing serious complications, such as pneumonia.
The underlying health conditions which put a person at increased risk include
- a compromised immune system
Cancer treatment, HIV/AIDS, steroids and other forms of anti-inflammatory treatments can compromise the immune system, making it vulnerable to the flu virus.
What Are Immunizations
Immunizations save lives. They are the best way to help protect you or your child from certain infectious diseases. They also help reduce the spread of disease to others and prevent epidemics. Most are given as shots. They are sometimes called vaccines, or vaccinations.
In many cases when you get a vaccine, you get a tiny amount of a weakened or dead form of the organism that causes the disease. This amount is not enough to give you the actual disease. But it is enough to cause your immune system to make antibodies that can recognize and attack the organism if you are ever exposed to it.
Sometimes a vaccine does not completely prevent the disease, but it will make the disease much less serious if you do get it.
Some immunizations are needed only one time. Others require several doses over time to help your body be able to fight the disease .
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When To See A Doctor
A person who is over 65 years of age should talk to their doctor about which pneumonia vaccine may be best for them. The doctor can help determine whether they should get the vaccination, which vaccination to get, and when to get it.
Parents and caregivers of young children should talk to a pediatrician about the schedule for the pneumonia vaccination. The pediatrician can also address any questions or concerns about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccination.
A person does not need to see a doctor for mild reactions to the vaccine, such as tenderness at the injection site, fever, or fatigue.
However, if a person experiences any life threatening side effects, they should seek emergency help immediately.
Signs and symptoms of allergic reactions in children may include:
- respiratory distress, such as wheezing
What About The Vaccine

Prevnar 13® is a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine that protects against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria.
Pneumovax® 23 is a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine that protects against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria.
Once vaccinated, most healthy adults develop protection to most or all of these types within 2 to 3 weeks.
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Whats The Difference Between Pcv13 And Ppsv23
PCV13 | |
helps protect you against 13 different strains of pneumococcal bacteria | helps protect you against 23 different strains of pneumococcal bacteria |
usually given four separate times to children under two | generally given once to anyone over 64 |
generally given only once to adults older than 64 or adults older than 19 if they have an immune condition | given to anyone over 19 who regularly smokes nicotine products like cigarettes or cigars |
- Both vaccines help prevent pneumococcal complications like bacteremia and meningitis.
- Youll need more than one pneumonia shot during your lifetime. A 2016 study found that, if youre over 64, receiving both the PCV13 shot and the PPSV23 shot provide the best protection against all the strains of bacteria that cause pneumonia.
- Dont get the shots too close together. Youll need to wait about a year in between each shot.
- Check with your doctor to make sure youre not allergic to any of the ingredients used to make these vaccines before getting either shot.
- a vaccine made with diphtheria toxoid
- another version of the shot called PCV7
- any previous injections of a pneumonia shot
- are allergic to any ingredients in the shot
- have had severe allergies to a PPSV23 shot in the past
- are very sick