Flu shot or not?

[Zazzel]

Debating getting the flu shot. Come across this discussion of pros and cons. Can't seem to find a yes or no to this subject. What are you doing or have you done in the past?

vaccinationcouncil.org/2011...

[Sirrahbed]

Husband and I reminded yearly to get both flu shot and pneumonia vax. We have complied for years but I am tempted always to NOT have it. Policy at our military hospital suggests it for all kidney patients. Thanks for article😀

[sukki in reply to Sirrahbed]

Hi sirrahbed I'm confused. I have a flu jab every year and no probs. I had pneumonia vax about 4 years ago. Are you saying we CKD patients should have a pneumonia vax every year as well. My gp told me that pneumonia vax are a one off!!

[Sirrahbed in reply to sukki]

Hmmm I think it is suggested for everyone over 65? Not sure. Husband is 66 and they have him alternate Prevnar last year and the other type this year. Not sure it is repeated after that. I think it is one time only for each of the two types. Maybe because he is Medicare? I am really not sure. Flu is a yearly jab. Debbie

[orangecity41 in reply to Sirrahbed]

Doctor recommended get the prevnar as new and covers new strains of pneumonia. Live in FL so might be different elsewhere?

[Thirza1 in reply to sukki]

Hi

What is pneumonia vax as I am a ckd patient but I haun,t heard of this before

I haunt had the flu jab either as I am on stetiods and not suppose to have any live vaccines

I am stage 4 ckd

[Sirrahbed in reply to Thirza1]

vax=vaccine😀

There are two pneumococcal vaccines that are licensed for use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13 or Prevnar 13®)

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23 or Pneumovax23®)

From CDC website:

cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/pneumo...

[Hidden in reply to Sirrahbed]

This is a UK based forum so some of the advice given may differ from that in the USA

[bazt in reply to sukki]

the pneumonia jab is a one off as far as I am aware it lasts for at least 10 years.

[sukki in reply to bazt]

Thank you bazt that's good to hear

[sukki in reply to Sirrahbed]

Thank you Sirrahbed. I will check it out again with my gp. I was also diagnosed 2 years ago with Antitrypsin 1, a quite serious genetic deficiency. My son and daughter have been checked out and they too have the deficiency. Because of this they have been told to have the pneumonia vaccine every year. I have Stage 3a CKD as well so I need to protect myself from both. Best to be safe than sorry, Sukki 🙂

[Hidden]

Yikes! I've been happy to have the cooler weather with fall arriving, finally. Then I read your post and realized that with the cooler weather comes flu season. I have all of my shots coming up this year even the long-term ones. Flu, pneumonia, DPT, and Tetanus. I can suck it up and have it done at the doctor's office but what I can't handle is going to the local pharmacy and having someone there give me the shot. There has to be a better way!

[Sirrahbed in reply to Hidden]

Our doctor, while reminding us to get the flu vaccine, did say this season may run late and to wait a month or so.

[orangecity41 in reply to Hidden]

agree would rather get shots at Doctors office or medical center rather than pharmacy or grocery store pharmacy. Have gotten the flu shot at pharmacy but feel better at Doctor's office.

[Sirrahbed]

Wow! That article has my logical mind racing....as happens each time a vaccine is recommended. Many years ago, I postponed a recommended mumps vaccine for my son. I simply chose to delay it. That decision earned me the title in his chart of "non compliant mother". Just this past week I took my geriatric cat to the vet. He is failing and they asked if I wanted him to have his rabies vaccine that was due. Without thinking I replied I don't want my sick cat vaccinated, maybe never again. See where I am going? It made perfect sense NOT to vaccinate my elderly and sick cat. I will have to do more reading on the topic of automatic vaccinations for kidney patients. I dread the possible disapproval for refusing, but this may be the year I decide to be less than compliant.

[Bunkin in reply to Sirrahbed]

I don't get one.

[Hidden]

Sirrahbed, I've always avoided the flu shot in past years because I always got sick, not necessarily the flu, after the shot, back in the days when I had them done. I decided to stop taking them and not had a problem with catching the flu. However, now that I've been told that I should be keeping up on all my vaccinations, including the flu shot(s) I'm concerned about the post-shot period. Not to mention the fact that I have a huge problem going to a pharmacy and getting the shot.

Thinking about the displeasure of someone not in my family about my refusal to take the shot, bothers me not at all. Unless they are going to help me when I'm sick, they have no say in the matter. What I have found is that doctors use all kinds of terminology to cover their backsides for a possible future legal action. That being said, "Do what you and your spouse feel is the best for you and don't worry about someone outside your immediate circle!"

[orangecity41]

Maybe best to check with your Doctor as everyone's situation is different. My primary Doctor said was ok for me to get the flu shot, so got mine. Got one last year too. I am 76 so maybe more mandatory?

[rabbit01]

I have had the flu jab for the last two years without any problems.

[Nicolala]

Been a dialysis patient for nearly 30 years and never had it. I have seen many patients feeling terrible after having the flu jab so I'll take my chances.

[phillen]

My husband always has his flu jab & has had 2 pneumonia jabs they are not every year though my personal opinion is best to have them as a kidney patient especially in the later stages have low immune systems (similar to a cancer patient) so a dose of flu could kill!

[newyork8]

Absolutely take it. Protects you and others around you.

[orangecity41 in reply to newyork8]

I agree New York8. I live in retirement community so is very important for yourself and others. I got flu shot and no side effects. Will get the new pneumonia shot too.

[jennifer24]

Hey I have ckd and is very important to get the flu shot and pneumonia shot I was skeptical about the flu shot but my dr said is very important for us ckd patients and transplant our immunine system is not as strong as others do to the meds we drink and our condition that If we get sick it could be worse for us So I suggest u get those vaccines!!!

[Peterpoomsrida]

Hi! I m from Singapore n my egfr is 31. Just back from my Neph last week. He reminded me that i must hv my flu jap annually. The Prevnar jab is just a one off requirement.

[DeanSamson]

Hi, I have had the flu jab every year for the past 4 years. I'm a early stage pkd patient. My doctor never really gives me a chance. I go for a check up then before I know it booooom he's fired one in my shoulder. This year I did get cold like symptoms for about a week afterwards. Not sure weather it was related or not. All the best.

Dean

[curleytop1]

Hello Zazzel and everyone who has posted on this subject, I thought I would just add my experience of the flu jab. Although elegible for the flu jab at age 60 in UK, I always avoided it as my late mother was always very poorly after hers. However last year, having been diagnosed in the Spring with stage 3 CKD, I had my first flu jab in late October, age 75, and was quite ill and weak for about 6 weeks. So this autumn I have been very apprehensive about it - should I risk becoming poorly again or 'bite the bullet' and have it done again, but take the sensible precaution of staying home and not mixing with other people to pick up any germs?

We have been warned several times that the dangers of flu will be worse than ever in the UK this winter, and that the National Health Service will not be able to cope with any additional pressures, so these facts are what decided me, I had it done at the GP's surgery last Wednesday and I went straight home (having stocked up on food etc. the day before) and have stayed there. It is now Sunday and I feel OK but somewhat lazier than usual, but that can be explained by many other things than having the flu jab - our bad weather, shortening of daylight hours, which I always dislike, and being bored because I'm used to going out whenever I want.

I realise not everyone can have the luxury of staying home for any length of time, but it might be worth taking some time off either side of a weekend as 'holiday time' and using it to do a favourite hobby, anything you enjoy so mixing with other people is minimised.

Hope this might help you to make up your mind about the flu jab, Zazzel, but have no experience of the pneumonia jab as it has not been suggested to me. Best wishes to everyone - Curleytop1.

[Zazzel in reply to curleytop1]

Thank you for sharing your story! Glad you are feeling better than the last time you had it!

[Hidden]

Its recommended, the if your 'at risk' or work with someone at risk.

At the end of the day the decision is yours.

For a lot of people the cost is zero.

nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinati...

[toeragthecat21]

had transplant flue jab ok no problems

[Sirrahbed]

Reread the article in post by Zazzle again. Both my husband and I will be forgoing the flu vaccine this year. He will not be getting the 2nd pnuemonia vaccine. We are basing this on reading that nobody truly understands how vaccines work. It is suggested that our bodies for antibodies against the weakened or dead virus. But considering our CKD is Idiopathic, there is that chance that we can try to fight our own kidneys or develop other autoimmune disorders. This is our best informed decision and I am prepared for any criticism that is directed my way by the medical community, or anywhere.

[Zazzel]

Well, this was certainly a great discussion. Thank you everyone for your input. I got the flu shot last year and did fine with it. It was one of the few years I didn't get really sick. I decided to go ahead and get one today. I thought for me personally, it was better to keep me safe from an extended illness. My flus in the past have lasted for weeks and have been pretty horrible.