Have a chronic illness, such as heart or lung disease or diabetes. Have a weak immune system. Some people have mild side effects from the shot, but these usually are minor and last only a very short time. The pneumonia shot cannot cause pneumonia because it is not made from the bacteria itself, but from a bacterial component that is not infectious. In fact, people can get the pneumonia vaccine and a flu shot at the same time.
Bacterial pneumonia is more serious.
One kind of bacteria causes pneumococcal pneumonia. In older people, this type of pneumonia is a common cause of hospitalization and death. About 20 to 30 percent of people over age 65 who have pneumococcal pneumonia develop bacteremia. At least 20 percent of those with bacteremia die from it, even though they get antibiotics. People age 65 and older are at high risk.