I decided to get the pneumonia vaccine because I had just killed off a bout of some unknown lung infection and never want to go through that again (with the pleurisy for weeks, as well...very painful) and I'm 63 1/2. I'm thinking it's one of the best things I can do for myself, together with the flu vaccine and the shingles-prevention vaccine I got as soon as I turned 60 (that's the suggested age for the shingles vac.) My pneumonia vaccine was a little sore at the injection site, but went away within the day. I'm wondering if I'll need a booster in five years since I wasn't 65 at my 1st pneum. vaccine. Since I'm only 1 1/2 years away, what do you think? Get your vaccination...it may save your life, down the road.

I got the vaccine because I have Chronic Kidney Disease. My arm got extremely sore and was pretty bad the first night. I felt ill by night fall. It was all I could do to get through work. Couldn't wait to get home as I started to get hot/cold flashes and just felt like crap. I took Tylenol, bundled up and went to sleep. Next morning I feel much better. My arm is still very sore, but I understand this is normal. I guess you just have to weigh the pros and cons. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, especially for those most at risk.

I am a healthy, active 71 year old and allowed the doctor giving the flu jab to persuade me to have the pneumonia vaccine. I asked if there were side effects as I am travelling four hundred miles in a couple of days time. I was told I might have a sore arm for a day. I was in agony all night when the pain in my shoulder started 8 hours after the injection. It was a worse pain than the frozen shoulder I had years ago. It was difficult to even brush my hair as the injection was in my right arm. Have dosed myself with Ibuprofen in the hope that the pain subsides.

I got the pneumonia vaccine because I am 65 and Medicare suggests that I get it. The day after my arm was swollen and I had terrible chills. My temperature rose to 101.9. I was aching all over and my arm hurt all the way down to my hand. The next day my arm was very red, hot and swollen below the injection site. I hope to never receive this shot again. It has been 4 days and my arm is still red and hot.

It will be two months since I had the pneumonia vaccine. I have been in pain which radiates from my shoulder down to my joints in my hand. I went to the doctor because I couldn't move my arm for two weeks. It is as though the shot has affected my joints.

This is my second pneumonia vaccine and for the second time, it is horrible. The pain is awful. Even if I am not moving my arm it is a 7 out of 10 on the pain scale. When I move my arm it is a 10. I remember this from last time. I hope to never ever, ever have to get it again. I am 34 and got it for recurrent pneumothorax.

I had my spleen removed while having a pancreatectomy and so had to have the vaccine. I had no side effects. After what I have read here, I am thankful. I'll be needing my booster soon and I'm glad it is not something to dread for me.

I received the pneumonia shot in 2005 because I had pneumonia two times before. However, I came down with double-pneumonia in December on Christmas Day, and can't understand why I wasn't protected by the vaccine. I was one sick puppy, and when I asked the doctor why I got pneumonia, he sort of avoided the question. It is frustrating to me as I am older now and cannot fight off illnesses as well as I once could.