Is there any reason not to get pneumonia vaccine?

[falcon5]

So I understand the cost / benefit for under 65s doesn't warrant having pneumonia vaccine on NHS for general population (except high risk) but if I buy privately is there any reason not to get the pneumonia vaccine? (Disclaimer - I love a vaccine, I've had my flu shot already this year even though it makes my arm hurt it sucks a lot less than flu).

I can't think a reason why not

I had mine last week, i'm 66. Had it at the same time as my flu shot (different arms). Only ill effect was the arm that had the pneumonia shot hurt quite a bit that evening, couldn't sleep on that side.

No. It’s very effective, doesn’t need repeating and has minimal side effects.

Is this a new(ish) vaccine? Very nearly lost my daughter to pneumonia when she was 2, so I would vaccinate without a second thought. I never knew it existed!

I had a horrendous reaction to the pneumonia jab a few years ago. But I'm told the vaccine lasts a life time, so won't need it again. Crucial for me as I have asthma.

Nope. Nothing at all.

I had pneumonia in my late 20s. Perfectly healthy, active one day, collapsed on the floor unable to move to reach the phone to call an ambulance three hours later. If paying/knowledge there could be a vaccine available could have saved me that experience, I would have taken it.

How have you had your flu shot already this year? It's not available yet so you could only have had last year's strain. It's been delayed due to Australia experiencing severe flu so they waited to see how it developed so they could ensure the vaccine matches the strain for this year as accurately as possible.

Deliveries of this years flu jabs was due to start in July, but began instead in August. About 12million doses will have arrived before 31/10, with a further million or so announced to be delayed beyind that (that's injectables not the sniff, and assuming the total ordered is similar to the number given last season)

So yes, many places have it and are administering it. But perhaps not everywhere. Last year my GP started walk in flu jab clinics at the start of October, so I shall be enquiring as usual next week

I walked into my local chemist for my flu jab - he said it was definitely this year's version, too. About ten days ago.

@m0therofdragons we’ve been giving flu vaccine (2019/2020 batch) for 2 weeks.... it’s definitely available.

@SouthernComforts pneumococcal vaccine has been given for years, and has been included in the routine childhood schedule in the UK since 2006.

How old is your daughter? She has probably had the vaccine, depending on her age.

I had the pneumonia vac many years ago ( as I’d had pneumonia the winter before and seriously thought I was going to die )

No bad reactions as far as I remember , and they wouldn’t have been nearly as bad as full pneumonia anyway ( took me over 3 months to recover )

Flu jab clinic next week

Had pneumonia twice since I had the vaccine, and a further lower respiratory infection that would have developed into pneumonia if we didn't catch it early enough.

IME it doesn't work!

I had one last year (medically indicated) at same time as I had the flu jab. No side effects at all, even though it’s got a bit of a reputation for localised swelling/soreness

As I have a freaky immune system, I’ll probably have it again when I reach the normal age for it. But for most people it’s reckoned to give lasting protection

We had flu jabs on Saturday.

I was due to have it today but had to rearrange for tomorrow. My pharmacy are fantastic and are doing it for me for less than £10. I've also been told that it should last 10 years although can say it will definitely cover for 5 years minimum. Apparently though it is only up to 50% effective. I have no idea why. Still worth it for me even if it might help.

Can pregnant women have it?

@Sidge - ah, she will have had it then if it's standard. She was born in 2009, had pneumonia in 2011.

My mum had pneumonia and flu a few years ago, get it.
She almost died, month in hospital and lasting issues.
She hasn’t been offered it
Will remind her to push for it,

@Bobbiepin it’s effective against pneumococcal pneumonias only - still possible to develop pneumonia due to other pathogens. Sorry you had this experience, but the likelihood is it wasn’t due to the vaccine not working.

Just to clarify: the “pneumonia” vaccine is more correctly named the “pneumococcal” vaccine. It’s protects against pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. A vaccine can only work against one type of micro organism (unless it’s a mix like DTP) so it was never going to work against all pneumonia’s. Strep pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a common cause of pneumonia in the UK but by far not the only one - other common organisms include Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella cattarhalis. That will most likely be why it didn’t work for you @Bobbiepin (also accepting that there’s not a 100% response to vaccines).

To answer the original question, there’s no reason under 65s can’t get it no.

Teddy The pneumonia jab isn’t routinely given in pregnancy.

But it’s not a live vaccine, so there’s no obvious reason why it can’t be given. You need to ask your doctor.

Must be an area thing. Our delivery is coming next week so we are starting a week later than usual (7th October) with the quad and only getting 35% of our order with 30% 2-3 weeks later and the final batch end of October (which is after our campaign usually ends for staff as we aim to get most done before half term. We're a big hospital so no idea why our supply is so crap.

Yes, I realise. Its an unfortunate reality but we can't be protected from everything. The last round developed from heamophilis so the vaccine would have been totally useless for that. I just find it amusing that I got the vaccine and now completely unrelated I'm now so susceptible to pneumonia!

I had recurrent chest infections for years. Culminating with pneumonia. I had the vaccine at 38 and haven't had a chest infection since (touch wood). Can the vaccine prevent run of the mill chest infections? I'm intrigued.

Ah brilliant. @m0therofdragons the leaflet from.the box says 2019/2020 season Tetra MYL but I don't know if it's available earlier because I paid for it at pharmacy , my son seems to be getting the spray late October at school. There was some explanation about pneumonia vaccine only protecting against a certain number of strains (And I think there are 2 variants in number of shots). However, this is great to know that for.me it's just a choice now of whether the 70 pound cost is worth the partial coverage. Thank you everyone.