Does flu immunization cover pneumonia

Answer 1

Not directly. The flu shot will only prevent the specific type of viral influenza that the vaccine has been developed to prevent. Most pneumonia is due to bacterial infections and not viral, although viral pneumonia and bacterial pneumonia are both common secondary complications of influenza. So, in the sense of preventing the flu that might have a secondary complication of pneumonia, it could be somewhat effective but not assured. For better prevention of pneumonia, there is a pneumonia vaccine that can be received at the same time as the flu vaccine, which is often done in the elderly or those with underlying health problems, especially chronic lung or Heart diseases.

Answer 2

No, not directly. However, pneumonia is a common complication of the flu. So if you avoid the flu with a vaccination, then you can't get the flu complication of pneumonia (which could be viral, like the flu, or could be bacterial). There is a vaccine against bacterial pneumonia that you can take in addition to the influenza vaccine, as well.

Now (in April) is a bit late for most places in the Northern Hemisphere to get a flu vaccination for it to be effective during the time of this year's flu season. You may be better off to wait until next year for that (best to do by October) since the types of influenza viruses the vaccinations protect against usually change every year.

However, you can get a pneumonia vaccination any time since there is no season for it. See the related questions for more about the flu season.