I was out on my insurance companies personal website and on it they suggested a 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine because of my cancer. Does anyone know anything about this? Is it common? Have you been recommended to get it? I have an appt with a medical oncologist on Monday so I'm going to ask. But just wondered what your experiences have been with this.
Chuck
I take the injection every year for two reasons: 1. Age and 2. Suppressed immune system due to cancer. Its a good idea. BTW in 2004 I was diagnosed Stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer at age 57.
Gourd Dancer
Chuck, I had a pneumonia shot a few years ago and my GP recommended I get another as the ones we get now are much better than the old shots. Just saying.
Yes. This is a new version of the Pneumococcal vaccine. It added many more strains of the bacteria so that we all have better protection. I think the original vaccine which people over 65 were given was 7 strains. This is a CDC recommendation and insurance companies are wise to comply since it is a preventive practice with very low risk.
All of us should be having both the older and then the newer vaccines. This includes all of us older people, whether we have cancer or not. Have your spouses, partners and friends get both.
Joel
Last October I had the Pneumococcal vaccine and the Influenza vaccine. In February I became ill with a stain of influenza not covered by the Influenza vaccine and was hospitalized with 105 degree temperature from influenza. They put me on Tami-flu and said I was lucky I did not get pneumonia. (I have had 72 radiations and my immune system is not so good) So I recommend the Pneumococcal vaccine.
This is great information. I'm only 51, so this vaccine was not on my radar. I start radiation on July 5 so this seems to be the perfect time to get vaccinated.
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