Saw my doc in our little spanish village this week. Just for a check up and a quick hello as my normal doc is now on maternity leave. Nice guy who I think must have come out of retirement as he's way over qualified for a local GP (checked him out on good old Google!). He spoke fluent English and was extremely thorough.
He's also arranging for me to have the Prevenar 13 vaccination against pneumococcal infection. Hadn't heard of this one and thought I didn't need to have anything else as I had a pneumonia vaccination only 3 years ago (those last 5 years I believe), but he said this is new and it's the one given to all infants now as it the same vaccine as for meningitis. He said it should be given to anyone over 64 years old and to all those who have chronic conditions that makes them at a higher risk of developing a pneumococcal infection.
"Prevenar 13 can protect against 13 of the strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae that can cause these diseases. (Prevenar 13 does not replace the need for vaccination with Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) or meningococcal vaccines that protect against other important causes of meningitis.)"
Had my flu jab a month ago when in UK but they didn't mention the Prevenar vaccine for so I thought I'd share this just in case others haven't yet been advised.
Hope you're all feeling chipper today!
Love Mx
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MichelleT51
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Sounds good to me, never heard about it before. It would be nice if it was offered here in the UK.
I did some reading on it. If I have understood it, it is the one given to children here in the UK but it is the other one which is recommended for older people. Cheaper I suppose.
I should have said that it is not free here in Spain either, but my doctor very strongly advised that I should have it. Getting it next week so will report back how much it costs.
My brother and his wife live in Spain so I know how very well people are looked after health wise, far better than here, sadly to say so I am not surprised they are offering something we are not.
I should have said that it is not free here in Spain either, but my doctor very strongly advised that I should have it. Getting it next week so will report back how much it costs.
I think that it's a good idea. The problem here will be getting someone to give it to us even if we offer to pay. Perhaps I had better move in with my son in Spain!
Hey Michelle I'm gonna check this one out with my Dr. I thought the pneumonia vaccine was a one off life time jab! I have copd (2005) but keep pretty well, up to now... I have a rescue pk to hand and take Symbicort 200 once a day. This increases if I find myself coming down with a flare up. Thank you for that info, keep it coming lol. You take take. xx
I believe the doctor simply felt that with the very severe emphysema (FEV1 28%) that I have, it would be a wise thing to do! He mentioned nothing about blood tests Jeff.
Sorry Jeff but I don't quite understand .... Are you saying that the Prevenar vaccine can cause problems with IGM antibodies?
Hi Michelle
In Switzerland they just do Prevenar 13. I had it last year. In Lyons Hospital where I go for LAM they require the pneumovac 3 months after the Prevenar but as I had missed the coach Consultant said not to worry.
I have had Prevenar 13. The reason why I had it was because I did not develop the required amount of antibodies to the normal Pneumonia Vaccine which I had a few years ago, and in addition to my Severe Asthma, I have an Immune Deficiency Disease. The Immunology Clinic wrote to my GP requesting I be given it.
Just to report that I picked up the Prevenar 13 vaccine from the chemist today. 76 euros. Not cheap by any means, but better safe than sorry. Had the jab this morning ... so far so good
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