Like most with severe or very severe copd I have had my flu jab protection. But, although I have had the yearly protection, my wife has not. I gave this a lot of thought this year as if my wife was to catch flu. Not only would she not be able to help me, but somehow I would have to care for her, putting myself at risk.
After a chat with my wife Lynne she agreed to have the flu jab to help protect me further from this nasty illness. Remember. Flu for some of us will be a death sentence. And many end up in hospital. I telephoned the doctor and asked if they would do it for my wife because of my seriously compromised health and was pleased to hear that she is classed as my carer, so cold have the jab for free. The lesson to my fellow copd'ers is. Even if you have had the jab, your partner catching it will still put you at risk, so have a word and ask your partner to have the jab also. Breathe easy all
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derrylynne
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This is great to hear, you're right in saying that people/partners classed as carers can get access to this jab. This post below comes from the DoH re the take up rates for this vaccine.
On another and really important matter - please can you start a blog re Trolls who have victimised some of us, including Gordon who won't come back here - a big los to this site...we really do need someone from BLF to monitor here and catch the trolls and bar them. It is in danger of getting out of hand and then many more of us will lose what you know is a precious resource. Thanks Julie
As usual, you are so right about the flu jab. What does tend to get missed though is the importance of having had the one for pneumonia. This is now one jab to give cover for the rest of your life. I have heard recently that the take up rate is low so it is important that vulnerable people have it. It costs nothing to ask your GP.
Yes you are of course quite right about the pneumonia jab. I had mine some years ago although I have been assured this covers for life. But it must be remembered that pneumonia comes in many varieties. While the pneumonia jab will and does protect you against the serious pneumonia's, you can still get the lesser ones. I had pneumonia once this year and twice last year for instance. But, the much lesser variety. If you have copd, you must get get this once in a lifetime jab. It may very well save your life by doing so.
I had the pneumonia jab this year as well as the flu jab. My doctors now say that the pneumonia jab should be re-done every 10 years.
My husband gets his flu jab because of me, but I think everyone should have them as they do in Canada. Think of the money saved by the NHS and lost work days if it was for all people. As I understand it, that's why they did bring it in for everyone in Canada, it was cheaper in the long run.
I'm only out of hospital 10 days after a 3 week internment with COPD and my other half has got a chest infection, seems like flu. He's on antibiotics and I'm hoping my continuing antibiotics will prevent that affecting me. Troublesome coincidence which may have been avoided by having a flu jab. I shall ask my doc if he can get one to hopefully prevent further problems.
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