I’m due my 5 yearly pneumonia vaccine again in March ‘23’, but I’m really suffering lately with re infections, so I asked my GP (who asked my ex respiratory specialist) if I could have it now instead of waiting until March….sadly the answer was no, I will have to wait.
So my question is, seen as I’m suffering now (and really feel the last vaccine is waning) would it be beneficial for me to pay to have it now privately?? (Boots chemist/Lloyds pharmacy etc)
Thank you in advance 😊🙏🏼
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CandiR
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With the caveat that I’m not medically qualified. Commercial pharmacies use a different vaccine to the one given by the NHS to high risk individuals, which covers different strains. It also covers fewer, with the NHS PPV vaccine (brand name Pneumovax 23) for the high risk protective against 23 strains, where the PVC vaccine (brand name Prevenar 13) available at Lloyds et al. only covers 13 strains. The PCV vaccine is actually what’s now given as part of an under two year old’s routine vaccinations because it’s been found to be more effective in young children than the PPV. So, yes, you could pay £70 for a PCV one now, but you would still need to get the PPV vaccine in March. It’s also worth making sure you understand what it protects against: you may well be experiencing increased infections at the moment, but unless they’re specifically being caused by a pneumococcal bacteria, so a bacteria with pneumoniae in the name, having the vaccine early isn’t going to make any difference to your current infection rate.
Hello Charlie and thank you for taking the time to reply, you certainly know your stuff.
Unfortunately for me, I regularly culture Strep Pneumoniae (and Hib) And these recurrent infections are all down to the above.
I have literally just discovered that Asda pharmacies do the PPV 👇🏼 May well be too good to be true (and by the looks of things they appear to have got the prices mixed up) but still, definitely worth enquiring! Thank you again Charlie
Please keep in mind , by purchasing vaccine not all strains are covered !!! Sometimes it’s a natural psychological effect ‘ I’ve had the vaccine’ that brings comfort
Candi if you can email or get a family member to email your consultant stating your concerns , and keep emailing!
Before you pay for a vaccine I suggest you find out more why your ex specialist is saying no you need to wait. There could be a good medical reason for this and it might be in your interest to wait.
Also if you are having repeated infections, then again it may be wise to wait until you are having a “well space” before undertaking any inoculation. Indeed many doctors won’t inoculate when a person is clearly unwell.
Hi Bevvy and thank you for your reply, to be honest, my ‘ex’ specialist was never very good, all she said was ‘I can’t have my Pneumonia vaccine any earlier, but I need to have a flu and covid vaccine asap’ (which I already knew)
So I do believe it was refused just so they’re not breaking any rules and regulations (rather than there being than a specific medical reason why I can’t have it earlier)
Thank you for your advice and if I do go for the vaccination privately earlier then I’ll make sure it’s during a ‘well space’! 👍😊🙏🏼
Hi Patk1, I’ve just had my Hib antibody blood test done (still waiting for the results) but I wonder if my GP requested Strep Pneumoniae antibodies also 🤔 I’ll ask…..thank you 🙏🏼
I get vaccinated against hib separately.Having antibodies to pneumoccal vaccine checked, detects response to all the various components ie 13 or 23.I would ask for bloods to see if u actually need it,or not
For most people, the pneumonia vaccine is a one off. However, there are a number of health problems where it needs to be given every 5 years to ensure ongoing protection.
Yes agree. This is why I was given a one off injection.. I have severe COPD and this qualifies for the once only pneumonia jab. Thank goodness as with all these covid vaccinations and flu jabs its getting out of hand. I had the Pneumonia also the Shingles jabs which were both one off xxSheila
Hi there Shelia, thank you for your reply, I agree, all these vaccines are a bit much aren’t they! I’m due the Flu, Covid, Pneumonia and Hib vaccines 😳 but they are much needed. Stay well Xx
Hi. I am also in the same boat as you.27 years ago I had the pneumonia vaccine after I had a lung removed. Repeated infections over the years and finally pneumonia in august.After I recovered I asked my G P for a booster. She didnt think I needed it. Promised to call me back after she investigated it more with the hospital. Never called me back despite messages I left for her at reception .I've had 4 infections since august. I've had enough. I'm off to Lloyd's next week for the vaccine and be done with it. Sorry for the rant. But terrible treatment at the doctors.
Toby….so sorry to hear you are having this problem in trying to access the vaccine, sounds like you’ve had an awful time with all these infections, this is precisely my point (and you are in a more vulnerable position than me)
I ‘think’ you can get the PPV (23 strains) pneumonia vaccine from Asda pharmacy for £50 (I’m going to clarify this today) but worth checking isn’t it!
If it’s any consolation, think I’m going to pay to have one now rather than wait until March (I’m so tired of re infections) Good luck Toby, let us know how you get on 😊
Thanks for your reply Corriena…..my humble opinion, it’s financial not medical (or possibly just not wanting to break the rules/regulations) which is understandable, but I’m suffering now and it’s only going to get worse, 5 months is a long time when you feel awful! 😊
If you feel it will help and thear are no medical reasons not to go for it.PS i am not medicaly qualified and this is just my thoughts on your question 💉💪
Hi, it’s toby. I’m back from haveing my pneumonia vaccination and i am glad i made the decision to go it alone. I cancelled the lloyds appointment as i found out it only covered 13 strains.Boots coverers. 20:, I was lucky i got the appointment this morning and i feel relieved i’m protected.Hope you get on ok and make the right decision for yourself. good luck. Toby
Hi Toby, glad you’ve told me this because I went to Superdrug Pharmacy to ask for the Pneumonia vaccine (the PPV 23 strains one) but the nurse said she’d need my GPs/specialists consent! I’m just wondering….did Boots chemist ask you the same??
Really glad you’ve got it done, bet it’s such a relief! 😊
Hi. they only took my particulars. Name address and doctors surgery address.They asked about my lung condititions and couldn’t believe the hassle i have had trying to get a booster jab.The government classed me as vulnerable but my GP is indifferent.Its not her livening with this ghastly disease.Even the Lloyds pharmacy was prepared to give me the injection. I checked this on the phone. I didn’t want to go anywhere if they refused when i got there as it’s a wasted journey.Hope you get on ok. Check the pharmacy’s out online.
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