pneumonia

[lesbud1]

I suffer with recurring chest infections and have had consolidation of the lower lobe twice. I get a chest infection that I need antibiotics for at least once a year. I am nearly 60yrs old and I have asked my new doctor for the pneumonia vac she has said I'm not eligible. Anyone else had chest infection and advice how to try to persuade the surgery to give me the vaccine? I intend to appeal this decision with the lead GPs.

[knitwitty]

Hi there I have had the pneumonia vaccine ( last year) and I also get the flu jab each year but I was led to believe that it was because I have a heart murmur, and I fall into an "at risk" group.

Do you have any underlying health conditions that might warrant you getting the vaccine? I'm only asking because you may have slipped through the net at your surgery.

Good luck.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Criteria for being eligible for the pneumonia vaccination:

nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinati...

[knitwitty in reply to SeasideSusie]

Doesn't look like I or my son ( he's coeliac ) fall into any of those categories so we were lucky ( or unlucky depending on your personal view on vaccinations) to get the jab!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to knitwitty]

I dare say GPs can offer it to other patients if they think it appropriate.

I had the pneumonia jab when I was diagnosed with COPD a few years ago (although it didn't stop me getting pneumonia and going on to develop pleurisy). I also had the flu jab that year. I've since declined further flu jabs and also the shingles jab.

[Hidden]

Had pneumonia and chest infections several times when benign goitre constricted my breathing. Caused shallow breathing, fixed with antibiotics.

A warning to all those with goitres - breath deeply whenever possible and take good care of yourself, pneumonia is fatal for those with reduced immunity, epitomised by the type of people with thyroid afflictions.