It's that time of year again!

[loopeyloo72]

Hi everyone,

I have just received my appointment through for my annual flu vaccination.

Having only been diagnosed with PMR in June, would you more knowledgeable people on here recommend that I go ahead with it or not?

[jinasc]

As far as I am aware, the question to ask is it 'live' or 'dead'. Hopefully PMRpro will be along soon.

I do not know, as I have never had a flu injection in my life.

[Patricia157]

Hi

When I first had PMR and went for my flu jab I asked to speak to a doctor about having the flu jab with my condition before I was given the injection. The answer for me then was yes it was ok to have it.

I suggest you perhaps do the same. PMR pro will help you here.

[1Purplecrow]

I've had PMR for 4 years, and currently use 6 mg prednizone. I have had an influenza vaccination every year. No negative effects.

I asked my pharmacist about risks of the vaccine, given my PMR status... he told me that the vaccine does not have live virus, and will not cause me to become ill.

The flu however, is very serious upper respiratory disease. With PMR, I have a compromised immune system, and am therefore more at risk, for complications of pneumonia, (and worse), should I become ill with the virus.

For me its a no-brainer.......get the flu shot.

Disclaimer...I am not a medical professional, just a long-lived woman with good old common sense!!

Kind Regards, Jerri

[CT-5012]

Had mine last year with no problems. If in doubt ask. 😊

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Had one all the way through Pred with no problem. But if in any doubt check with GP.

[piglette]

Hi loopeyloo, there should be no problem having a flu vaccine, lots of people with PMR have one. That is if you want to have one!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Yes - you need your flu jab. It may not be perfect cover but it reduces the chances of catching at least some of the versions flying around.

The flu jab is killed vaccine - the nasal spray version used for children is live attenuated so is not recommended for patients on immunosuppressant drugs which includes pred although the sort of doses usually used for PMR shouldn't be much of a problem.

[daw50]

Hi loopeyloo 72.

I resisted the flu jab for years but finally succumbed last year with no ill effects whatsoever.

[loopeyloo72]

Thanks to everyone who replied - looks like I will be having my flu vaccination after all! I do not normally have an adverse reaction to it, so here's hoping..........!

Lyn

[GOOD_GRIEF]

Get the shot. I promise you that whatever little discomfort/flare up you get the next day is going to be far less difficult to handle than a case of the flu.

I don't know if it is available to you folks cross the pond, but here in the US there's also a Super Vaccine for Seniors. It contains 4x the antigen in regular flu shots.

Get a pneumonia shot, too.

[altywhite]

Hi loopeyloo...me too!! My 'invitation' came through yesterday!! I am a bit on the fence as I had a bad time after the vaccine last year, but it was perhaps a combination of a flare, reducing the pred and the vaccine! I've decided to go ahead with it this year, in spite of all that but am waiting until the end of October when we are back from hols. Because we are immunocompromised anyway, with the prednisolone, it's probably better to have it than not.

[9lives]

Hi

Since being diagnosed with PMR in may 2016, mr dr booked me to have flu jab in the October . Never had it before, but all went well and am booked for another next week .