Pneumonia Vaccine (Prevnar) OK with PMR?

My father has, and it didn’t cause a change in symptoms.

I’ve had the pneumonia vaccine twice (I’m immunocompromised due to a different inflammatory arthritis) in my 30’s, most recently last year, and I tend to respond to vaccines but this barely bothered me. I think my arm was a bit sore, but that’s it—I didn’t even feel fatigued or anything, which usually happens with any other vaccine. I had asked my PCP if she thought I might have a reaction because I was trying to decide how to time it and she said it’s always possible but for the pneumonia vaccine her patients don’t usually report flares or side effects (she sees a lot of patients with chronic pain and autoimmune conditions).

My dad has had pneumonia three times, once before he was vaccinated which was the worst, and twice he’s had pneumonia since having a stroke (which may have been related to aspiration pneumonia) and his symptoms were far less severe though he still needed antibiotics. Even so, it was still no picnic. It took him months to recover his usual energy after that first bout of pneumonia so we’d definitely take the vaccine over risk of a PMR flare.

Any vaccination can cause a problem - this was true before PMR and is still true today for each of us. My second Shringrix vaccination case caused a medical storm and PMR is one of many problems I have delt with ever since. I still get vaccinations but I never get more than one at a time, I space them 2-4 weeks apart and I make sure I am in the best health possible before getting each one. Since I had my Shringrix vaccination I have gotten all the Covid vaccinations, flu shots, and Tetnas (mine had expired). My doctor says I have a love-hate relationship with vaccinations - I would agree. I really wish I could avoid them, but I don't want a bad case of what they protect us from either. This year I need RSV, Covid and Flu - I currently have a respiratory problem so who knows when I will be able to start my Fall vaccination plan. I wish you the best, take care and you are right to wonder about this. Hope my few words helped.

I am currently not taking prednisone (since June) and experiencing some aches and hip soreness that waxes and wanes during the day. I recently got the new covid vaccine along with the pneumonia vaccine. As usual, I felt a little off for about a half day from the covid vaccine. My arm was quite sore from the pneumonia vaccine (more that the normal soreness). I really think we all have a different tolerance for vaccines and need to proceed accordingly. My husband and I are about to travel out of the country so I was determined to get the new covid vaccine as a preventative. BTW I always travel with some prednisone, “just in case”.
Liz Ward (PMR diagnosed in May 2023)

@lizward46
I agree…it’s always best to take vaccines if you can. In addition to PMR, I have reactive arthritis and asthma. So I need all the help I can get! I have had one original j & j Covid vaccine and one Covid booster. Strangely, I’m a “novid” (one who has never had Covid!). Despite being exposed and taking care of my infected husband and daughter. So I’m just a little nervous about taking a Covid booster because of things I’ve read here.
Took all my other vaccines though, including shingles.

I had a very robust reaction to my second shingles shot last November. Pain and swelling. Continued on and I was back on prednisone by March. Slowly tapering. I will not be getting any more injections. Too many side effects from prednisone

Thanks to everyone who responded!

@jabrown0407
You are smart to space any vaccines you get!!
They were going to give my newborn grandson six (6!!) vaccines on one well baby visit! Told my daughter in law to not let them do that—I told her only two at the most at one time. He is a healthy 10 year old today and gets his flu shots and other boosters as needed .
I currently have a stubborn case of bronchitis so I’m putting off getting my vaccines as well….

I too developed PMR following the Shingrix vaccines. It took me 2 years but have now been off prednisone for 2 years and no flares of PMR so far. I have been considering getting the pneumonia vaccine (a new one Capvaxive or PCV 21) but am concerned about PMR recurring so have held off.
Have you had any of the pneumonia vaccines? I have had the Covid and flu vaccines without any issues.
Wishing you all the very best health!

I had both pneumonia vaccines prior to Shringlrix and my bout with PMR. Since PMR I have had Pfizer Covid, annual flu, and tetanus (every 10 years) and RSV. I am a great believer in vaccines so I continue to take vaccinations. I do not want to die from an avoidable problem, thus vaccinations are the key. I have other chronic problems that sometimes flare post vaccination, but none of these vaccines have caused a PMR flare.
I do not believe that PMR was caused by the Shringrix component, but by the fundamental nature of vaccines and the state of my immune system at the time of the vaccinations. Every vaccine is designed to supercharge your immune system. I believe that something goes tilt based on your individual immune system situation and that is what causes the adverse reaction. There are reports of PMR as a result of all types of vaccines, not just Shringrix.

My PMR started last year shortly after a Shingrix vaccine. Initially, I thought it was due to a statin, as I had started that one month earlier. When the pharmaceutical companies formulate the vaccines, they include an adjuvant which is intended to stimulate a stronger response by the immune system to the vaccine. I had a conversation about this with my rheumatologist recently. Apparently, they do make some vaccines without the adjuvant, but not all. As a nurse, I’ve always been a very strong supporter of vaccines, but now, having my lifestyle so strongly affected by PMR, I’ve been hesitant. It’s so helpful to hear about others experiences with getting vaccines without worsening PMR. I even have mixed feelings about the Shingrix as I saw enough suffering folks come into the ER with terrible pain from shingles to want to avoid that if it all possible.