The recent passing of actress Diane Keaton has brought new attention to the dangers of pneumonia, a lung infection that can strike suddenly and lead to severe complications or death. It’s unclear whether Keaton had any underlying conditions that led to pneumonia, but her death is a reminder that pneumonia isn’t just a disease of the very old or very sick. It can strike anyone, even those who appear healthy.
What Is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus, causing symptoms such as coughing, fever, shortness of breath, and chest pain. While pneumonia is often linked to bacterial infections, particularly Streptococcus pneumoniae, it can also result from viruses such as influenza, COVID, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Less common causes include fungi and parasites.
For most healthy adults, pneumonia is treatable with antibiotics or antiviral medications, but in some cases, it becomes life-threatening. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 40,000 Americans die from pneumonia each year, and hundreds of thousands more are hospitalized. The risk increases with age and with underlying health conditions such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes.
Understanding the Pneumococcal Vaccine
While pneumonia can strike unexpectedly, it is often preventable. Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of severe illness or death from pneumococcal disease, which is the most common bacterial cause of pneumonia. Yet in recent years, vaccine hesitancy and confusion surrounding immunizations have made some people question whether they truly need the pneumonia shot.
The pneumococcal vaccine protects against several strains of the bacteria that cause pneumonia and related infections such as meningitis and sepsis. The CDC currently recommends:
- All children under 5 years old receive a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV).
- All adults aged 50 and older, as well as younger adults with certain health conditions, receive one of the approved adult vaccines (PCV15, PCV20, or PCV21).
Vaccines like these have dramatically reduced serious pneumococcal infections in both children and adults. The CDC continues to monitor their effectiveness and safety, and newer versions cover more bacterial strains than ever before.
Still, many adults remain unvaccinated. In part, this may be due to lingering skepticism around vaccines generally, a hesitancy heightened by the debates surrounding COVID-19 vaccination. Yet doctors emphasize that the pneumococcal vaccine is not new; it has been in use for decades, with an extensive safety record and clear evidence of reduced risk for severe illness and hospitalization.
Whether someone “should” get the pneumococcal vaccine depends on several factors, including age, overall health, and individual medical history. For older adults (50+) or people with chronic conditions, vaccination is strongly recommended and can be lifesaving. For healthy younger adults, the risk of pneumonia is lower, but the CDC still advises discussing the vaccine with a healthcare provider, especially if you live or work in environments with vulnerable populations. For those with allergies or previous adverse reactions, consultation with a doctor is essential before vaccination.
Even though vaccination doesn’t eliminate pneumonia risk completely, it remains one of the most effective tools to reduce the likelihood of severe infection.
What the Law Says About Vaccination and Prevention
Vaccination is primarily a public health issue, but it also intersects with the law in several important ways. For example, some states require hospitals, nursing homes, or assisted-living facilities to offer or document pneumococcal vaccination for patients and residents. Failure to follow these regulations could be considered noncompliance with standard-of-care obligations. The CDC has published a menu of state pneumococcal vaccination laws showing that requirements vary by jurisdiction.
In addition to institutional requirements, healthcare providers themselves have legal obligations. They must inform patients about the benefits and potential risks of vaccines, obtain proper consent, and document any refusals. If a patient suffers harm due to inadequate screening or disclosure, questions of medical negligence may arise.
Although serious adverse reactions to vaccines are rare, they do occur. To address this, the federal National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) provides a process for individuals to seek compensation without directly suing manufacturers or healthcare providers. Pneumococcal vaccines administered to children are covered under this program, and claims are reviewed by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
Finally, long-term care and healthcare institutions have broader legal and ethical duties to minimize infection risks. If a preventable pneumonia outbreak occurs in a facility that failed to follow recommended vaccination or infection-control policies, that failure could also become a factor in a negligence investigation.
Pneumonia remains a serious health threat, but it is largely preventable through vaccination, timely medical care, and awareness of symptoms. Informed, evidence-based decisions guided by healthcare professionals are key to reducing risk and protecting both individual and community health.
