Some people will have side effects. The side effects are usually mild and last a short time. About one half of the people who receive the vaccine will have a small amount of swelling and soreness in the arm where the needle went in. Sometimes a mild fever might occur. A small number of people might have both fever and muscle pain.
Some people have more serious swelling and pain.
Patients should tell their doctor or public health nurse if they have any of these serious side effects. The pneumococcal vaccine will not give you pneumonia. Children under the age of 2 years should not receive the vaccine. If you think you have already had the pneumococcal vaccine, tell your doctor or public health nurse. You may not need another shot.