Please remember that there are now two vaccines against pneumonia. The old one protected against 13 infections, the more recent one against many more.
There are more than 80 different types of pneumococcus bacteria — 23 of them covered by the new vaccine.
There are two vaccines for pneumonia that protect against different types of the infection.
PCV13 helps protect people from 13 of the most severe types of bacteria that cause pneumonia.
PPSV23 protects against an additional 23 types of pneumonia bacteria. Neither can prevent every type of pneumonia, but they work against more than 30 common, severe types.
People who need a pneumonia vaccine should get both shots: first, the PCV13 shot and then the PPSV23 shot a year or more later.
For most people, one of each shot should be enough to protect them for their entire lives. Sometimes, you may need a booster shot.
While the guidelines say that the new shot should be for those 65 and older, if you are younger but at risk, you can ask your doctor for the shots anyway.
Actually the vaccines do not protect you from getting pneumonia. They protect you from the toxins produced by several strains of the Pneumococcus bacteria. Pneumonia is bad enough but if you get infected by a strain of Pneumococcus that produces lethal toxins you will probably die unless you have been vaccinated with Pneumovax 23 or Prevnar 13.