The best way to protect yourself from illness is to get vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia, if you haven’t yet. One shot will protect you for five to 10 years. It’s important to get the vaccine if you are age 65 or older. You should also get the shot if you have a weak immune system due to a medical condition or if you have a chronic disease such as:

• Alcoholism
• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Emphysema
• Heart disease
• Liver cirrhosis
• Sickle-cell disease

Getting an annual flu shot also helps protect you because having the flu sometimes leads to pneumonia. October and November are good times to get your flu shot.