The most common negative symptoms from pneumonia and flu shots are soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, aches, headache and fatigue may also occur.
Other negative (adverse) reactions to the flu vaccine include sore, itchy or red eyes, itching, hoarseness, cough and fever. The risk of a severe allergic reaction to a pneumonia or flu vaccine is very small. The CDC estimates that severe allergic reactions are less than 1 in a million doses for the influenza (flu) vaccine. Signs of a severe allergic reaction start within a few minutes to a few hours after vaccination and can include hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness and weakness. In the event of a severe reaction, call 911 and get the person to the nearest hospital.
Getting a flu shot can not give someone the flu. Injectable flu vaccines do not contain live virus, explains the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The nasal flu spray vaccine often used in children does contain live attenuated (weakened) virus and can not be used by pregnant women, adults over 50, people with weakened immune systems and others.
People who are allergic to eggs should not get a flu vaccine, explains the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Anyone who has had a serious life-threatening reaction to a vaccine should not be vaccinated. Young children who receive a flu shot and pneumococcal polysaccharide, or pneumonia, vaccine at the same time may be at increased risk for seizures caused by fever.