Fellow asthmatics, have you gotten a pneumonia vaccine?

[luvwinnie]

I just got one last night. My dr. advised it considering the swine flu pandemic. I would rather avoid vaccines when possible, but I thought in this case it was important.

 

[minkydog]

I just got one last night. My dr. advised it considering the swine flu pandemic. I would rather avoid vaccines when possible, but I thought in this case it was important.

DH has stage 4 lung disease; he is quite disabled with it. He gets his pnuemonia vaccine every 5 years and flu shot every year. We're too afraid to take a chance. He has nearly died of lung infection twice already. A simple bout of flu could kill him. We'll take the chance on the vaccines.

 

[disfan07]

I'm planning on getting it this year.
I have severe asthma and i am allergic to both the regular flu vaccine and the swine flu vaccine (why did they have to grow it in eggs?????)
I always get the flu....we know its going to happen but last year was really bad. I ended up in respiratory failure b/c of pneumonia so b/c of the swine flu this year we decided i would get it and hopefully it will work

 

[luvwinnie]

I'm planning on getting it this year.
I have severe asthma and i am allergic to both the regular flu vaccine and the swine flu vaccine (why did they have to grow it in eggs?????)
I always get the flu....we know its going to happen but last year was really bad. I ended up in respiratory failure b/c of pneumonia so b/c of the swine flu this year we decided i would get it and hopefully it will work

I would talk to your dr. ASAP. Don't put it off. Hope all goes well for you.

 

[EMom]

How long is it good for?

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Yep, will get the pneumonia vaccine this year too - but cannot get most flu vaccines - had a very serious allergic reaction, so never again.

I didn't think the pneumonia vaccine was available yet - not too soon? Will definitely look into it ASAP.

Thanks!

 

[bookgirl]

Yep I get the flu shot every year and have gotten the pneumo vax before. I should probably get one this year, but honestly since I quit teaching school my respiratory problems are much fewer and far between. My doctor did ask me to go ahead and refil a rescue inhaler but that's about it. I only have allergy induced asthma (so basically fall/spring with occasional winter problems when my allergies get out of control and my lungs react) it's not an ongoing battle for me.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

I just got one last night. My dr. advised it considering the swine flu pandemic. I would rather avoid vaccines when possible, but I thought in this case it was important.

I get one every 5 years. That is when it should be redone. I have to also get the flu shot every year.

 

[JessicaR]

How long is it good for?

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/VIS/downloads/vis-ppv.pdf

My son got it 6 years ago and will not need another for 4 more years. (per his doctor)

Usually only one dose of PPSV is needed, but under some circumstances a second dose may be given.

 

[luvwinnie]

How long is it good for?

I think 5 years.

 

[JessicaR]

No more than 2 lifetime doses of PPSV vaccine are recommended for anyone. Unfortunately, many healthcare providers seem to believe that more is better when it comes to PPSV. For the facts, read Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV): CDC Answers Your Questions at www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2015.pdf

http://www.immunize.org/askexperts/experts_ppv.asp

* While people with asthma can safely receive a pneumococcal vaccine, asthma alone is not a high-risk indication for pneumococcal vaccination

 

[luvwinnie]

No more than 2 lifetime doses of PPSV vaccine are recommended for anyone. Unfortunately, many healthcare providers seem to believe that more is better when it comes to PPSV. For the facts, read Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV): CDC Answers Your Questions at www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2015.pdf

http://www.immunize.org/askexperts/experts_ppv.asp

* While people with asthma can safely receive a pneumococcal vaccine, asthma alone is not a high-risk indication for pneumococcal vaccination

Odd, I read the recommendations were changed recently and now it IS recommended for people with asthma.

 

[luvwinnie]

The document does suggest it for asthmatics:
and for persons between the ages of 2 and 64 years who have chronic illnesses specifically associated with increased risk from pneumococcal infection (e.g., cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease [including asthma in adults age 19 years and older], diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, cirrhosis, or cerebrospinal fluid leaks), or are a candidate for or recent recipient of a cochlear implant.

 

[Huggles]

Yes, I had mine a year or so back and won't need another for about 3 years, I think. Not sure about the swine flu thing tho'.

 

[Disney Ella]

I got mine a few months ago. Anything that can give me any protection from asthma complications, I'm all for.

 

[OK!]

Nope, at least not yet.

 

[C.Ann]

Yes - I got one either 2 or 3 years ago - but not because I have asthma..

I wonder if it would help any with the pnuemonia that results from contracting Swine Flu? Anyone know?

 

[disfan07]

I would talk to your dr. ASAP. Don't put it off. Hope all goes well for you.

Thanks.
Yeah i'm seeing my pulmonologist on friday so i'm going to talk to him than

 

[JessicaR]

Odd, I read the recommendations were changed recently and now it IS recommended for people with asthma.

Things change all the time, have a link?

Edited to add new info.

Who Should Get the Pneumonia Shot: The CDC's New Recommendations
In January 2009, the Centers for Disease Control updated its recommendation for the pneumococcal vaccine. The recommendation states that you should receive the pneumococcal vaccine if you are:

Over the age of 65
Between the ages of 18 and 65 and have a chronic heart or lung condition, such as asthma
Immunocompromised or have a weakened immune system

 

[luvwinnie]

Yes - I got one either 2 or 3 years ago - but not because I have asthma..

I wonder if it would help any with the pnuemonia that results from contracting Swine Flu? Anyone know?

That's why I got it. It will help prevent secondary bacterial pneumonia...but it won't help if the virus attacks the lungs, of course.