Pneumonia Vaccine

[Ridge]

I was talking to a very friendly Doctors wife yesterday who works on his admin and we talked about the amount of people suffering and in some cases hospitalised with pneumonia. She said that the vaccine I was given about 10yrs ago is now not considered to be sufficient protection. It is thought that it should be renewed every five years. Well well! Do you all know this?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

NHS advice still seems to be -

People aged 65 and over -1 dose when you're 65

but does say -

Children and adults at higher risk of getting seriously ill - At least 1 dose (some people may need extra doses or regular doses)

and includes those who may require extra doses -

You're at higher risk of getting seriously ill from pneumococcal infections if you have:

sickle cell disease, problems with your spleen or you've had your spleen removed

a long-term condition that affects your breathing such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or cystic fibrosis

a long-term condition that affects your heart such as coronary heart disease or heart failure

chronic kidney disease

a long-term condition that affects your liver such as cirrhosis

diabetes

a weakened immune system due to a condition such as HIV, or a treatment such as steroid medicine or chemotherapy

a condition where fluid that protects the brain and spinal cord leaks out (cerebrospinal fluid leaks)

cochlear implants

Some welders and metal workers who are exposed to metal fumes at work should also have the vaccine. Check with your employer if you think you may need it.

Obviously for those on here who fall into the weakened immune category, it's worth checking with GP..

This corroborates that info - and updated very recently -

midandsouthessex.ics.nhs.uk...

[Ridge in reply to DorsetLady]

It was the pneumococcal vaccination she was talking about which I see also covers sepsis and meningitis. I am very ignorant about all this. However I got the impression from her that this was a very recent rethink. I shall ask when I see her husband in a week and let you know.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Ridge]

Please do…

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I'm not sure but I think the vaccine has been updated in the last 10 years - do ask your GP surgery about it. Really it is up to them to approach their vulnerable patients.

[Ridge]

I have put in a question on Econsol but haven’t heard yet. My husband had a negative reply straight away. He doesn’t take steroids of have a strange immune system.