tell me why were aren't giving people the shot?

[luvmyfam444]

The pneumonia shot if that's what they are dying from? Its complications of pneumonia caused from H1N1. That shot has been around longer - why aren't we all getting that?

 

[C.Ann]

Don't know if that shot is helpful with this particular virus, but I had one in 2006, so if it is helpful, I'm covered..

Also, many insurance companies won't cover it unless you have another underlying condition that warrants it..

 

[KAMKIM]

The pneumonia shot if that's what they are dying from? Its complications of pneumonia caused from H1N1. That shot has been around longer - why aren't we all getting that?

hmm I dont know. I have never heard of the pneumonia shot.

 

[C.Ann]

hmm I dont know. I have never heard of the pneumonia shot.

It's a vaccination that is typically given to people with underlying health conditions and/or the elderly that lasts for 5 years..

 

[beachlover9395]

Now I could be off base about this, but the pneumonia shot is for bacterial pneumonia, specifically the strain of bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae. Unless the pneumonia one gets due to the flu is caused by this bacteria (a secondary infection), that particular immunization is not effective. Since the flu is a virus, you could have viral pneumonia instead of bacterial pneumonia. Two different types of pneumonia caused by different organisms.

Someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong - definitely won't be offended.

 

[monkey68]

The pneumonia vaccine helps protect against getting infected with the strep. pneumo bacteria, which is the most common type of pneumonia, but the people who have the flu getting pneumonia are most likely developing viral pneumonia. So getting the pneumococcal vaccine wouldn't be effective anyway.

 

[dalt01]

Now I could be off base about this, but the pneumonia shot is for bacterial pneumonia, specifically the strain of bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae. Unless the pneumonia one gets due to the flu is caused by this bacteria (a secondary infection), that particular immunization is not effective. Since the flu is a virus, you could have viral pneumonia instead of bacterial pneumonia. Two different types of pneumonia caused by different organisms.

Someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong - definitely won't be offended.

h1n1 is compromising the immune system and this allows bacteria to get a foothold. the pneumonia shot is helpful in this case. my wife and daughter both have to get these because of respiratory issues.

 

[DVC Sadie]

My doctor recommended that I get all three this year. The seasonal flu vaccine, the pnuemonia shot and the H1N1 vaccine. Now I feel as if I'm loaded for bear and hopefully will be able to handle anything this season.

 

[golfgal]

Not all people are dying from pneumonia either-many people with H1N1 have died from heart failure and other issues. The flu vaccine has been around longer then the pneumonia vaccine-the H1N1 strain is new but NOT the actual vaccine itself--it is EXACTLY the same as the seasonal vaccine but it has the H1N1 strain and not the seasonal strain.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

My children have had the pneumonia shot. It is not always effective as one of my children had pneumonia numerous times already.

 

[C.Ann]

My doctor recommended that I get all three this year. The seasonal flu vaccine, the pnuemonia shot and the H1N1 vaccine. Now I feel as if I'm loaded for bear and hopefully will be able to handle anything this season.

Hopefully this will be me next week - although I already have the pneumonia shot under my belt..

Now if we could just get that darn shot for my DD and my DGD.. That really worries me.. Especially my DGD - being in school every day..

 

[taximomfor4]

My lungs are not doing wonderfully since I was sick weeks ago. Am on another course of steroids, a much more hefty dose, etc.

THroughout all of that, I did TONS of research and have been to see a few different doctors. The consensus among them seemed to be that VIRAL pneumonia is developing. So the vaccine for the pneumococcal pneumonia won't help --- UNLESS you are person susceptible to that organism. And THOSE are the people who get that immunization already.

 

[FireDancer]

Regardless of whether the vaccine is for the flu or pneumonia I am much more comfortable letting my immune system handle it than any vaccine. All the national pressure for this virus and I am not convinced that anyone with a healthy immune system is in too much danger.

I am of the opinion that a healthy lifestyle will lead to a healthy immune system and that should be our first line of defense against disease, not vaccines or drugs. While I do think there are vaccines worth the risk (tetanus, and polio come to mind), I don't think the flu shot is one of them. If you have a compromised immune system maybe this isn't an option, but all the worry about H1N1 is a bit over the top for me. I don't want it but if I get it I am confident I will be fine in the end and build the antibodies myself which is how our bodies were designed in the first place.

 

[mickeyplanner08]

Regardless of whether the vaccine is for the flu or pneumonia I am much more comfortable letting my immune system handle it than any vaccine. All the national pressure for this virus and I am not convinced that anyone with a healthy immune system is in too much danger.

I am of the opinion that a healthy lifestyle will lead to a healthy immune system and that should be our first line of defense against disease, not vaccines or drugs. While I do think there are vaccines worth the risk (tetanus, and polio come to mind), I don't think the flu shot is one of them. If you have a compromised immune system maybe this isn't an option, but all the worry about H1N1 is a bit over the top for me. I don't want it but if I get it I am confident I will be fine in the end and build the antibodies myself which is how our bodies were designed in the first place.

Sorry to drag this OT, but check this story.....not everyone who is healthy is free from danger....sad reality of this virus.
http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kent_county/Kent_County_man_dies_from_H1N1_virus

 

[ontariomonkey]

It's my understanding that the kind of pneumonia that comes about secondary to H1N1 is actually caused by an overblown immune response called cytokine storm. The body actually damages the lung tissue through an inflamation process. I'm going to be taking lots of vitamin D to decrease the risk of this.

 

[FireDancer]

Sorry to drag this OT, but check this story.....not everyone who is healthy is free from danger....sad reality of this virus.
http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kent_county/Kent_County_man_dies_from_H1N1_virus

Eh, for every one of these stories there are plenty of people who get the virus, get sick, and recover, it just doesn't make the news. There was Landon Donovan who played an entire professional soccer game with H1N1. The the PSG soccer team in France had to have a game canceled because of an outbreak yet everyone too sick to play on the weekend was back in practice mid-week. 6 days later 2 of the players with confirmed cases were in the starting 11 and the 3rd was named to the substitutes bench. 1 even scored the first goal.

Sure, there will be the odd case of people who are healthy dying but I won't let the exception dictate what I do. There are also perfectly healthy athletes that drop dead mid competition but I won't cower in my house and not do anything because of the outside chance I end up being one of the unlucky ones.

I still think this is a complete over reaction and people are needlessly sent into a panic because they might not get a shot. I've done my own research and came to my own conclusions. I not going to let the mass media scare me into any health decisions. I'm not saying this is the right choice for everyone, it isn't my business, but I don't understand the hysteria that emanates from some people (I'm not referring to anyone on this thread, it is a general thing I have noticed) just because they may not be able to get vaccinated.

I'm going to be taking lots of vitamin D to decrease the risk of this.

In the research I mentioned above Vitamin D has shown to be very good at bolstering the immune system against many ailments, including the flu. When I speak of taking care of your immune system this is exactly the kind of thing I mean. Eat right, be a healthy weight (anyone considered obese is 6 times likely to have H1N1 complications), get exercise daily, get enough rest, supplement with a daily multi vitamin plus Vitamin D (1.000IUs), and you will most likely be just fine even if you get it. The time to get prepared for the flu isn't a week or month before flu season, it is every day of the year via a healthy lifestyle.

 

[melisandes]

Now I could be off base about this, but the pneumonia shot is for bacterial pneumonia, specifically the strain of bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae. Unless the pneumonia one gets due to the flu is caused by this bacteria (a secondary infection), that particular immunization is not effective. Since the flu is a virus, you could have viral pneumonia instead of bacterial pneumonia. Two different types of pneumonia caused by different organisms.

Someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong - definitely won't be offended.

This is correct. It is only for one strain of Pneumonia. The pneumonia that comes with H1n1 is completely different. I have had lots of pneumonia since getting the Pneu Vax. I have just not gotten that variety.

 

[honugirl]

I've had the pneumonia shot too. I had it a year ago. I had my seasonal flu shot done over a month ago and I'll have my H1N1 done hopefully next week.

There aren't any easy answers in health matters.

Some of us are a little nutty about these shots because we need them to protect us. Some of us also count on others around us to get the shot to protect us. You may be able to fight it off just fine, but not everyone around you can. I really don't feel like spending my Thanksgiving or Christmas or my upcoming Disney trip in the hospital.

I guarantee you don't want to see the number of pills/supplements I take a day in an effort to bolster what little immune system I have and I still come down with everything. I've had to quit my karate classes because I can't be in that close of proximity to that many people who may be carrying the viruses. I shop for groceries between midnight and 5 am so I can avoid the crowds. I don't go to the mall. This is my new life, and honestly, it SUCKS!!!!!!!

 

[aprilgail2]

hmm I dont know. I have never heard of the pneumonia shot.

Seriously? Its certainly been around for years...I have gotten it a couple time- I think its good for either 3 or 5 years, I can't recall the exact cycle you get it on. I just made sure my mom got hers this year since its been a few years for her since she has had one.

 

[DVC Sadie]

Hopefully this will be me next week - although I already have the pneumonia shot under my belt..

Now if we could just get that darn shot for my DD and my DGD.. That really worries me.. Especially my DGD - being in school every day..

I am really hoping that now you've found the shots that you'll get them as soon as your doctor returns next week and that your DD and DGD finds and gets them soom.