Flu jab - Yes or No

[janekins]

Hi everyone !

I've read different views on here in the past of having a flu jab.

I've been wondering about the current flu situation and whether I should have the flu and pneumonia jabs. I haven't in the past.

Any advice appreciated!

Thanks

Jane

[janekins]

P.S I have lupus and Hughes. On warfarin.

Jane

[KellyInTexas Administrator]

I would tell you yes. ( I current have flu. ) APSnot fab can advise best.

I would say perhaps no to pneumonia shot from what I recently learned from Gina on forum, from her doctor.

I posted maybe three days ago and got a lot of great info, which I’ve just mentioned.

I’d get the jab had I to to it over again. I’m still in the throes of it. By the time the 6 hours is approaching for next dose of paracetamol, I’m st 101- 102 fever again. ( 39? )

Be aware it takes two weeks for full effect.

[janekins in reply to KellyInTexas]

Thanks for your reply and all the info. Hope you feel better soon!

[lupus-support1 Administrator]

Yes and Yes. Annual flu jabs & pneumovax. As always, ask your specialist.

[KellyInTexas Administrator in reply to lupus-support1]

Ah. Yes to pneumonia also? Ok - ( I will ask my my doc as I know it’s always a patient by patient decision.)

[Sara_A in reply to KellyInTexas]

It depends on ur condition and what drugs u are on or age etc as to whether u are eligible for the pneumonia vaccine. It’s just a one off injection not a yearly one. U can have it if u are immunosuppressed.

It’s worth having as if u catch pneumonia u can become very unwell as with flu. But it’s each patients choice u don’t have to have any it’s ur decision

[janekins in reply to lupus-support1]

Thanks Ros!

[MrsMouseSJ]

I would say yes, certainly in respect of the flu jab. I have had this for the past 3 years. I haven't been offered the pneumonia jab, perhaps because I'm relatively young.

I look at it this way - I might conceivably get some sort of reaction to the jab but it won't kill me; flu could.

[janekins in reply to MrsMouseSJ]

Thank you!

[lupus-support1 Administrator in reply to MrsMouseSJ]

Anyone who is vulnerable ie on immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, should have both the flu jab & pneumovax (every 5 years).

You cannot get the flu from the vaccine & you can die from the flu!

[Sara_A in reply to lupus-support1]

The pneumonia vaccine is only given again if u have no spleen otherwise it’s a one off vaccine.

[janekins]

Thank you!

[janekins]

Do we have to pay for the flu jab? I'm fine about paying if we do. Just wondered though. I will go up tomorrow to sort out getting it done.

[Yllek in reply to janekins]

I have the flu jab from my GP free of charge due to having APS. It’s a long term condition that can be affected adversely were you to catch flu so you shouldn’t have to pay.

[Ozchick]

I have both-Pneumonia is 5 yearly not every year. Be aware that (here at least) there were 2 flux-one was trivalent and on quadrivalent. The first came out relatively early and Pharmacies were seeking them but we were advised to get the later 4 strain as it gave better cover.

[Rosemary76210]

I have had 2 pneumonia shots several years apart. The last one was for multiple strains. Before getting them, I was getting very severe bronchitis frequently. Since getting the shots, I have not gotten bronchitis. BUT my APS is not nearly as bad as many people on here, so check with your doctor.

[merrohawk83]

I know many flu jabs in the past used to contain mercury which put a hell of a lot of people off, understandably. This year’s flu jab contains no mercury. I had it as I’m pregnant but would have thought twice had it still contained mercury!

[Yissica]

Definitely have the jab although it is late in the season. However if you have pneumovax then keep a record of the date and ask for a note to be made in your health records or letter to your physician. This us because pneumovax is a once a lifetime dose.

I was given it twiceas my new GP wouldn't take my word for it and was very ill after the second dose. That was when I found out that the immunisation is once only.

Current flu jab contains a for of the aggressive strain going around this year but is aggressive boutique 80% effective as there has been a slight mutation from last year.

It will have a short term effect on your inr so tell the clinic when you have it.

Hope this helps.

[lupus-support1 Administrator in reply to Yissica]

Pneumovax is usually for life, UNLESS on immunosuppressants, in which case it is every 5 years.

[janekins]

Thank you to you all for your informative comments. I am having my jab done tomorrow.