Pneumonia vaccine

[mbr8076]

Has anyone over 65 received the Pneumonia vaccine-Prevnar 20? I have ET Jak2+ and it was suggested by my GP. I read somewhere that we have to be careful with vaccines.

Thank you,

[Rem31]

I had pneumonia around 15 years ago, pre MPN. My experience was being admitted to hospital with pleural effusion and a collapsed lung. It was excruciatingly painful. Thankfully there were no lasting effects but it took a while to feel well again and return to work.

It’s not something I’d want to repeat and I didn’t hesitate about asking for the pneumonia jab after being diagnosed with ET and starting Hydroxycarbamide.

I don’t recall the exact details of the jab I was given and there were no side effects that I remember.

[mbr8076 in reply to Rem31]

Thank you, Rem31 for your reply. My GP did mention it was a vaccine that did not need to be repeated; it was a lifetime protection.

[beetle in reply to mbr8076]

That is generally the case but I have been advised to repeat every five years as my immune system is in such a poor state with pancytopenia made worse with the addition of Azacitidine to my treatment regime

[Bobadog]

Hi there,

I was offered this yesterday after receiving my shingrix vaccine.

I will definitely book it next week .

Pneumonia is nasty ,and any precaution is welcome.

All the best,

Bobbie

[mbr8076 in reply to Bobadog]

Thank you, Bobbie for your advisement

[EPguy in reply to Bobadog]

I suggest you space that next vax at least two weeks after any prior vax, esp on IFN. There are posts discussing this precaution.

I agree any vax with high protection and long long durability is very worth it.

[hunter5582]

I did get the most current pneumonia vaccine as I believe that the benefits outweigh the risks. Unfortunately, I got the flu vaccine at the same time. Both arms hurt and I got sick with flu-like symptoms for 24 hours. I have never reacted that way to vaccines before. Lesson learned - one vaccine at a time.

The caution you may have heard about vaccines is likely the contraindication for live vaccines when taking hydroxyurea. Otherwise, we have no particular prohibition on vaccines when managing a MPN that I am aware of.

If you have concerns about vaccines and MPNs, consult with a MPN Specialist. Many GPs would not be aware of the specialized needs of MPN patients in this regard.

Wishing you all the best.

[PhysAssist in reply to hunter5582]

Hi Hunter,

Interestingly, the "flu-like" symptoms that you experienced after getting the vaccines were likely good evidence that they stimulated your immune system to develop the desired immunity to the diseases for which they're intended.

That said, I also learned my lesson in a similar manner, although for me, it was this year's Influenza vaccine and the most recent COVID booster.

I did get my pneumococcal vaccination along with my Shingrix, but had no untoward reaction with them.

Unfortunately, despite not being able to identify any known exposures to anyone who was apparently ill, I had a nasty bout of Influenza B with bilateral otitis media through the first week of 2024- I'm mostly better now, but still a bit tired, weaker than usual, and still dealing with side-effects of the antibiotic- which had never been problematic for me ever before.

We have always known that people can get the flu despite vaccination, and when I worked in Urgent Care, we saw that those who contracted it despite vaccination generally experienced a milder and shorter course of illness.

If that was true in my case, I would not have liked to to have seen what it would have been like if I hadn't been vaccinated- because I was miserably achy [even my hair hurt], profoundly fatigued/exhausted, and I kept alternating between having rigors [shaking chills] and fever of up to 105F [briefly] for 4-5 days before the illness finally broke.

Best,

PA

[saltmarsh]

I agree with Hunter. Pneumonia vaccine is not a live vaccine and ok to take. Good luck staying healthy

[ET824]

I had the newer pneumonia vaccine and flu shot in October, at the same time. No problems besides a sore arm for about 3 days. We are lucky to live in a day and age where they have vaccines I think. Benefits far outweigh the risks in almost all cases. Good luck.

[HHTH]

my husband had the vaccine, along side a covid vaccine and he was quite poorly after with flu like symptoms, we think it was having both vaccines at the same time.

[mbr8076 in reply to HHTH]

Sorry, to hear, yes, several have mentioned that about taking several at a time:/

[Wyebird]

I’ve had it.and the shingles vaccine. You must not have live vaccines so my 2nd shingles is on Thursday. They must be 8 wks apart

[AndyT]

I’ve had the pneumonia vaccine with no problems but don’t recall which one.

As others have said, in general it’s only live vaccines that we need to avoid - though it’s always worth double checking any planned medication with your specialist.

[YBSx]

hello

I’ve got ET JAK2 positive and take Hydroxycarbamide. I had vaccine at the age of 58 with no side affects.

Yvonne

[Hopetohelp]

I had pneumonia vaccine in 2018. The one for life but not sure what it was called. No problems. Et and on only aspirin at the time

[Spanelmad]

Can someone tell me at what age we are offered the pneumonia jab please?

[Rem31 in reply to Spanelmad]

nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinati...

Hopefully this link will work. I hadn’t realised until looking just now that there is pneumonia vaccine given to babies too.

[Spanelmad in reply to Rem31]

Thankyou

[MrsFox63 in reply to Spanelmad]

I went for a blood test and was told by the nurse that there was a note on their system that I was to have pneumonia and shingles vaccine. I’m 60

[Spanelmad in reply to MrsFox63]

I'll have to ask the GP ,as I'm 53. They have given me the shingles vax .NHS guidelines are a bit ambiguous .

[MrsFox63 in reply to Spanelmad]

I think it depends on the region. They all seem to have their own rules don’t they

[Meatloaf9]

I had the prevnar 13 (I think) in 2014 after having pneumonia which was pre MPN.

I had the prevnar 20 in 2023. No problems with either. Best to you.

[AndyKay]

I also have ET, and I’ve had all the shots. I haven’t had any problems. All my doctors suggested the shots. If you have any doubts please contact your doctor,

[Bikelove]

Hi, I’m new here…I had the final pneumonia vaccine when I turned 65 this year. I have ET jak2 positive. I also have Sjogren’s and Hashimotos.

I’ve had pneumonia 4 times in the past and would prefer to never have it again. For me personally, the pneumonia vaccine was the most benign one I’ve experienced as I tend to react to all medications and have a 2 week period of feeling unwell after each covid vaccine.

As I’ve seen many people here say, we are all different, but that is my experience…

Best…Susan

[mbr8076 in reply to Bikelove]

Thank you, Susan. So sorry you have experienced pneumonia so many times:/

Best wishes in the New Year!

[Bikelove in reply to mbr8076]

Thank you mbr8076!

Best,

Susan

[PhysAssist in reply to Bikelove]

Welcome Susan!

Best,

PA

[Bikelove in reply to PhysAssist]

Thank you PhysAssist!

[PhysAssist in reply to Bikelove]

de nada!

[Mardigras]

Hello, I am no expert, but I got an invitation from my GPS practice to go in for the Shingles Vaccine. Those of us with an MPN should always ask our consultants before having a vaccine. I spoke to my haematologist and he said that Shingles was a live vaccine and I definitely should not have it.

My GP was obviously not aware so yes, we should be careful.

Best wishes,

Marci

[Ayla13 in reply to Mardigras]

I’ve had the shingrix vaccine ( first jab) about 2 months ago. Had a very red arm at the site of injection and a bit itchy too . Going for my second jab in two weeks . Shingrix is not a live vaccine and is given in two jabs 2 -6 months apart .

[mbr8076]

Thank you, Marci. I refused the Shingrix vaccine when offered due to the live factor.

[EPguy in reply to mbr8076]

The live one was Zostavax. It's no longer avail in the US, replaced by the Shingrix which is not a live vax. Shiggrix is also much more effective. Here is one source that discusses the two:

verywellhealth.com/shingrix...

It can hurt going in, I'm glad I got it a while ago since I'm on Rux.

[Mardigras in reply to EPguy]

This is good to know EPguy. I wa beginning to think that my consultant was wrong. I cannot remember the name of the vaccine that I was offered, but I suspect it was Zostavax. However it does prove that we should always check with our consultants before blindly accepting vaccines offered by non specialists.

Thank you for clearing this up.

Hugs,

Marci