[melaniejs (OP)]

Paul asks:

Will pneumonia vaccination help to protect people who catch Coronavirus?

Anyone can help?

[chris]

Yes and no.

Pneumovax (or equivalent) triggers an immune response again the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, which causes pneumonia as well as sepsis and meningitis. As such, it will not drive an immune response against coronavirus, so a pneumonia vaccine recipient remains susceptible, and you could catch coronavirus.

BUT - frequently, people who suffer viral pneumonia - classically caused by the flu, although other viruses are also available (!) - the damage to the airway defences caused by the virus renders a person more susceptible to subsequent so-called bacterial superinfection. This means a bacterial infection on top of the initial viral infection. Staph aureus is a common cause of this, and the pneumonia vaccine won't help against that, but some people may develop a Strep pneumo infection. If they have received the Strep pneumonia vaccination, this risk might be mitigated.

[Petrochemicals]

Yes and no.

Pneumovax (or equivalent) triggers an immune response again the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, which causes pneumonia as well as sepsis and meningitis. As such, it will not drive an immune response against coronavirus, so a pneumonia vaccine recipient remains susceptible, and you could catch coronavirus.

BUT - frequently, people who suffer viral pneumonia - classically caused by the flu, although other viruses are also available (!) - the damage to the airway defences caused by the virus renders a person more susceptible to subsequent so-called bacterial superinfection. This means a bacterial infection on top of the initial viral infection. Staph aureus is a common cause of this, and the pneumonia vaccine won't help against that, but some people may develop a Strep pneumo infection. If they have received the Strep pneumonia vaccination, this risk might be mitigated.

What can be done about bacterial super infection prior to then chris ?

[set fair]

Some nonrelated vaccines spur the general immunity. The BCG jab is known to do this and might help.

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