Pneumonia vaccination as a precaution

Because pneumonia is a major co-infection along with COVID-19, getting vaccinated for pneumonia seems prudent. People 65 or older can get it done for free. There are two vaccines: Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23, which is the one recommended for adults to get first. They protect against 13 and 23 common strains, respectively, of pneumococcal bacteria.

My wife is under 65, so we had to pay for the Pneumovax 23. I searched online and found coupons on the GoodRx website. She got it done this week at Safeway for $98.00 (the coupon said $120.00).

Prevnar 13 now is routinely given to children. There has been a four-fold reduction in early childhood pneumonia since introduction of this vaccine's precursor in 1999.