Has anyone asked their doctor whether we need to get vaccinated against pneumonia?
I saw that half the Uk population and one third of the french are expected to contact it this winter. My doctor has always daid that if our counts are normal then we're no more suceptible to infections than anyone else, but I wonder whether the same goes for this type of flu.
Has anyone ever had the pneumonia jab? , Does it make you ill?
Barbara
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Swine flu
Hi Barbara,
I've been advised to have the Flu jab every year and do so. I was also given the Pneumonia jab about 8 years ago.
The thinking is that it's wise to cover all infections from the outset, so that any fall in the white count wouldn't be as serious as it otherwise might be -and no, it didn't affect me at all. I obviously can't speak for anyone else on that count though.
The good advice would be to have the Flu jab every year and have the Pneumonia jab as well [although one Pneumonia jab lasts for many years].
Dear Barbara, take a look at the June 12 post under Newswire on the right as it gives guidance on the available vaccines and those groups that might be more at risk (transplant patients/immuno-suppression etc)from contracting swine flu. I am sure your doctor is right when he says that if your white cell count is within normal ranges you will not be any more at risk than normal.
For those with immuno suppression -i.e low neutrophils etc- there is probably a good reason for extra cover against pneumonia and so vaccine is advised.
I am sure you would be fine as your doctor has suggested, but please read the guidance for reassurance....
Sandy