I have recently been diagnosed with seronegative RA and on Sulfasalazine. I had pneumonia injection yesterday but nurse was unsure when this is repeated - ? 5 years . Is anyone aware of any guidance or guidelines associated with frequency of pneumonia injection? Thank you.
Michelle
NHS says….
“If you're at increased risk of a pneumococcal infection, you'll be given a single dose of the PPV vaccine. But if your spleen does not work properly or you have a chronic kidney condition, you may need booster doses of PPV every 5 years.”
So you’ve got a year to think about it maybe ask your Rheumatologist next time you see him/her.
Thank you.
If it’s of any interest I’ve had .RA for 20+ years…& have never had a pneumonia vaccination…….bit late for me to start now!
Never too late
Having had six varied vaccinations each & every year for twenty years for my job in the travel industry….I think I must by now have enough dead viruses in my bloodstream!
It also depends which one you were given. There is a 23 version and a 13 version.
I was told every 10 years…
My consultant told me because I'm on immune suppressants I have to have one every five years.
I was told the opposite. Ones enough.
That was my impression so some interesting reach on this thread. Mine was about 3 years ago when I started my JAK.
I was told the same last year by the Rheumatologist but hadn't had one since 2008! GP Surgery didn't seem to be aware of the 5 year need.
Same here, Paula, but then being on Rituximab stopped it working (and also the flu vaccine and the covid vaccines) last year and I’m to repeat my pneumonia vaccine this autumn. Functional antibodies tests ordered by my rheumy proved this for flu and pneumonia.🤨
Since reading about the response to covid vaccinations for people on Rituximab I'm thankful enbrel worked for me. I knew the timing of having the covid vaccine was a problem but vaccines not working must be so worrying. The majority of the public now think covid is not a problem anymore, don't respect keeping a distance from people, happened to me a few days ago. Please be careful. x
Thank you Paula. Still shielding here. Had my first repeat vaccine 8 days ago. No longer on Rtx and due to start a new biologic soon after I’ve had two vaccines, but Rtx affecting my Ig’s still 10 months on from last infusion and will do for another year possibly, but my B cells are sufficiently back to be able to repeat my vaccines. (I can’t fathom why anyone wants to get so close to a stranger in the street and share air? 🤷♀️ I never liked this pre pandemic!). Until I know I’ve got antibodies/vaccines worked I’m continuing to shield as directed by my consultant to “act unvaccinated”. My immunologist will talk more with me re monoclonal antibodies if the vaccines don’t produce enough antibodies after 3 doses. I hope you are well and take care too. x
I have RA and had mine about 15 years ago and no more needed as not classed necessary
I was told by the GP that it was a one off
I was told it was a one off but that was about 10 years ago, so maybe advice has changed.
Thanks everyone. Sounds like people have been given different advice. From info on here sounds like should be every 5 years as I’m under 65. Will check with rheumatologist.
I was under the impression its just a once thing. I was given mine just before I started my methotrexate sulfasalazine etc all came later. I also got flu jab at same time. Which I get every year. That’s 5yrs ago.
I'm pretty sure I've only had one in over 20 years🤔
I had one given to me by immunology a few years ago. In my case it was a waste of time results showed it had very little or no effect and I probably won’t be covered. The good news is that I didn’t have any side effects haha. It quite depends on who you ask and when whether it’s a whole of life thing or 5 yearly ? Immuno have never suggested I have a repeat.
Same for my pneumonia and flu vaccines due to no B cells, due to Rtx. I’m to repeat the pneumonia one this year then get it in another five years if it works this time. The nurse did who did the pneumonia jab did it too high and paralysed my arm for 10 days. 😑
Ouch and ouch. Last depo in my thigh gave me a dead leg for a week but no paralysis thank goodness. It didn’t work either 🤦♀️😱
Sounds awful. 😑 They have always done the Depomedrone or Kenalog in the upper buttock when I had them. They worked for me but only lasted 2-4 days them wore off fast. I’ve not had a paralysis with the rheumy steroids jabs, only the pneumonia one in my shoulder os was so high which was very restricting for a week or so. I knew as soon as she did it it was wrong.
I had mine a few years ago but had a real problem with our surgery getting it. I went along to my appointment the nurse got it ready then said you’re not over 65 we are keeping our stick for over 65’s. I told her I’d been sent as was just out of his plural having had Pneumonia & they asked my GP to arrange jab on discharge letter. She refused saying I can’t give you our stick you’re not over 65. I said I’m 65 in 2 weeks so what’s the difference??!! After a lot of thought she agreed. Phew! What a carry on! I believe it’s every 5 years but was originally told every 10 I think. 🤷🏻♀️
Its every 5 years. Thats a definate
I was told it is a once in a life time vaccine. My takes MTX and was told it is not advisable to have it. I believe it is ok to have the vaccine if you start MTX a while later.
I found this from Versus Arthritis :Pneumococcus Vaccination against pneumococcus isimportant if you fall into a high-risk group. The vaccine is designed to protect you against conditions such as pneumonia, septicaemia and meningitis, though the main effect is against pneumonia. What else should I know? If you’re vaccinated against pneumococcus while on methotrexate, you might not respond as well to the vaccine as someone not on that
medication. However, this doesn’t mean you should stop methotrexate because there will still be some level of protection from the vaccination. If you do get a pneumococcal infection, you can be treated with antibiotics. If you’ve had the pneumococcal vaccination and your condition needs treatment with biological therapies, your rheumatologist may check how
well your body has responded to the vaccination first. This is done by checking a blood test to measure the level of anti-pneumococcal antibodies. If your antibody levels are found to be low, you may be advised to have a booster vaccination before starting biological therapies. This is because people on biological therapies seem to be more prone to infections with pneumococcus.
One rheumatologist said to our group (pre-Covid) that we should have one every five years, and it says on NHS site: If you have a long-term health condition you may only need a single, one-off pneumococcal vaccination, or a vaccination every 5 years, depending on your underlying health problem.
It depends on the vaccine. My first one was for 10 years, but I think my last one was for 5. I made sure I had it as a lot of people with Covid went on to develop pneumonia.
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