Pneumonia vax

[welsh12]

Have been offered this oddly not the flu one as yet. Anyone had this I think it's 2 ? Any side effects? do I need to stop methotrexate? Gp surgery will do this.

[JenniferW]

nhs.uk/vaccinations/pneumoc...

This is a one off vaccination, not annual like the flu. You get offered it after the age of 65 or earlier if you are immune suppressed. I was told to get it before they put me on a biological. As you say it's still done by the GP.

[Otto11 in reply to JenniferW]

How odd as I have it every 5 years due to being immunosuppressed. I will check it out. Thanks

[JenniferW in reply to Otto11]

The website says once for over 65s and then

'Children and adults at higher risk of getting seriously ill

At least 1 dose (some people may need extra doses or regular doses)'

I guess your doctor thinks you need it more often.

[Otto11 in reply to JenniferW]

Maybe. I have had Pneumonia a few times x

[Runrig01]

When I had it, it was a single vaccine, and given alongside my flu vaccine one year, due to being immunosuppressed. As Jennifer says it’s normally a one off vaccine. I’d previously had double pneumonia, thankfully none since I was vaccinated. Don’t recall having side effects but it was years ago.

[Boxerlady in reply to Runrig01]

I had it (a single dose) fairly soon after diagnosis; I did have to push the GP quite hard, I think but felt that it was worth it.

I've got my flu and COVID vaccinations booked for the beginning of October.

[Runrig01 in reply to Boxerlady]

I was lucky, the nurse happened to notice I’d had pneumonia and was immunosuppressed, so offered it whilst there getting my flu vaccine. Think I was around 48 when I had it. I’m waiting for the nhs online bookings, as my gps don’t do the covid vaccine, but had my last one in May so will probably wait till November 🤗

[Sainsburys]

I had it a couple of years ago and shingles same year. Flu is just booked on an annual basis. I didn’t have to stop any medication and didn’t have any side effects but everyone is different

[Rubygirl08]

Hi, I was diagnosed in July this year. When I had my RA nurse meeting she advised me to get the pneumonia vaccination, and was checking up on shingles for me. My gp practice was surprisingly efficient and I've had the pneumonia one already, I'm having the shingles and flu ones soon. It's not a 'live' vaccine. X

[Leics]

I had the pneumovax twice but it was done under immunology as a test for immune response. I failed it miserably twice but I’m the exception rather than the rule. My husband has had pneumonia twice and we had to fight our GP for it even though his consultant said he needed it but that’s mainly as he was only 60 at the time and generally fighting fit. I wouldn’t hesitate to get it done if you’re immune suppressed as I am.

[Tonkie]

I suffer with pneumonia most years so I always get the jab now. They urge me to have all 3, flu, Covid and pneumonia whilst still taking MTX. But I don’t advise getting them all at once I was so poorly last time!

[Artroc56]

It is a one off Vax for healthy people. Anyone who is immunocompromised should get it repeatedly - not sure if it's every 5 or 10 years. Also the flu vaccine is rolling out a bit later this year. Just had my invite

[wishbone in reply to Artroc56]

I had my first pneumonia jab about 20 years ago. Think I may have had a second one since but not sure. Anyway, because I'm immune-suppressed and have a serious lung condition my consultant recently advised me to have another pneumonia booster. When I mentioned this to my GP surgery they insisted that one vaccination was all I needed. Going by what you say it looks like I need to get back to them.

[Otto11 in reply to Artroc56]

Yes that’s what I was told. Every 5 years as immunosuppressed. I’m due next one next year.

[cathie]

I’ve an appointment for flu/ covid jabs in early October here in Scotland

[SingingJay]

I had no problems after the pneumonia jab.

[Otto11]

I didn’t have any problems with.

[Kati66]

I was told it’s every five years. I had mine a couple of years ago, along with the flu jab

[Trec]

I’ve only ever had one and that was about 20 years ago.