COPD: Vaccines to Help Prevent Lung Infections

Airways inside the lungs.

When people with COPD get a cold or the flu, it often turns into something more serious, like pneumonia or acute bronchitis. These lung infections are common causes of COPD flare-ups. Vaccines can help prevent lung infections.

Flu vaccine

Get a flu vaccine each year, as soon as it's available. The flu vaccine can help prevent the flu from turning into a more serious infection. Also, getting regular flu vaccines may lower your chances of having COPD flare-ups.

Pneumococcal vaccine

People with COPD often get pneumonia. Getting the pneumococcal vaccine can help keep you from getting very ill with pneumonia.

People younger than 65 usually need only one shot. But doctors sometimes recommend a second shot for some people who got their first shot before they turned 65. Talk with your doctor about what type of shot you need and if you need a second shot.

Pertussis vaccine

Pertussis (also called whooping cough) can increase the risk of having a COPD flare-up. The pertussis vaccine is given as the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) shot.

Whooping cough spreads easily from one person to another. Getting the pertussis vaccine can help you avoid the disease, make it less severe, and prevent you from spreading it to those who are at risk for more serious problems.

COVID-19 vaccine

People with COPD are at high risk for getting seriously ill with COVID-19. It can cause pneumonia and even death. The vaccine can protect you from getting COVID-19.

Ask your doctor how many doses you will need of the COVID-19 vaccine.