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General health

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Original poster

Calling Asthmatics - will you be having the vaccine?

51 replies

pofacedandproud · 19/10/2009 10:44

Just interested really. Those asthmatics who require medication to stay on top of their asthma, will you be getting the SF vaccine? Anyone had SF? Trying to work out what to do.

OP posts:

YanknHeadsOffCocks · 19/10/2009 13:13

I'd like to have it! I'm very mildly asthmatic, but have been offered a flu shot every year, with the exception of last year. We'd moved from London to the NW, and for some reason they didn't have me on their books as having asthma, so I was never offered one. I ended up with flu for 4 weeks, needed a trip to A&E because I couldn't breathe at one point. And to top it off found out I was pregnant.

This year, I went to the flu clinic at my GP surgery, only to be told I can't have the jab because they are rationing it for people whose asthma is severe enough to need steroid inhalers all the time. Well that's just fecking great. I will be seriously annoyed if I have flu again this year!

So if I get offered any jab that might stop me getting any kind of flu, I'm definitely taking it. I have a newborn at home and don't need to be ill this winter.

Original poster

pofacedandproud · 19/10/2009 13:13

madness really isn't it that they don't.

OP posts:

bellissima · 19/10/2009 14:35

I've had same kind of experience as OhYouBadkitten (and ranted on about it on another thread so apologies to those who have already read) - took asthmatic DD for seasonal jab on Saturday, asked about swine flu jab and was told oh no no guarantee she would get it etc - er, would I be informed either way and how? - er don't know. And yet, as Badkitten says, they have had months to at least think about the programme.

I tend to have to remind reception every year before the seasonal flu campaign that my DD is in the asthma clinic. I strongly suspect that it's a lot easier for some surgeries to simply look up all patients over 65 on their files rather than collate names from the asthma/lung/heart problem/diabetic etc clinics. But it can't be that hard - and these latter are those most at risk now and those who should be prioritised. Depressing to think that some people might be overlooked.

Original poster

pofacedandproud · 20/10/2009 16:28

In the States MedImmune are producing a flu mist SF vaccine which can be inhaled through the nose - I wish we could have it over here. [although apparently may not be suitable for asthmatics]

OP posts:

RubberDuck · 20/10/2009 16:36

The inhaled ones are using weakened but live virus which is why they are not recommended for the elderly, very young, weakened immune system or asthmatics. It also hasn't had as long a track record as the jabs. I personally would prefer the traditional vaccine.

Original poster

pofacedandproud · 20/10/2009 16:44

But no adjuvants and easier to get my ds to take it I think.

OP posts:

wilbur · 20/10/2009 16:52

I have the flu jab annually (have just had the regular 09 one) partly because of mild asthma but mainly because I have had my spleen removed. I will be having the swine flu jab when it's offered - but I am not pregnant and not planning to be so it is a no-brainer for me as getting flu would be a nightmare. I haven't had any serious respiritory infections since I started having the flu jab, whereas before I got flu, or something that felt like flu, most years.

Not sure what I will do if it is offered to the dcs.

StewieGriffinsMom · 20/10/2009 17:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

pofacedandproud · 20/10/2009 17:19

i would get the SF vaccine first SGMum as it has largely replaced the seasonal strain, as far as I know. And then give it a few weeks i would. but check with your doc.

OP posts:

RubberDuck · 20/10/2009 17:54

I wouldn't have thought it would make much difference taken same day or two weeks apart tbh. Your body's immune system is bombarded with several hundred viruses and bacteria daily - 2 more will make no odds whatsoever.

LeninGhoul · 21/10/2009 07:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 22/10/2009 20:44

dds asthma nurse gave dd the seasonal jab today and told her to wait 2-3 weeks before swine. I don't think theres a clinical need for that though, I'm sure I read that WHO say you can get both in one day. As I don't think swine will be offered to her for a couple of weeks I'm not actually bothered!

If it were a choice between one and the other I'd do as Pofaced said and get the swine, there is very little seasonal but swine is escalating.

eclipse · 22/10/2009 22:11

As an asthamtic who had flu (of some unspecified variety) a few weeks ago, I can only tell you my experience. I have had many chest infections in the past but the one since this bout of flu has been unlike any other. It has scared me to find myself breathless and in too much pain to breathe. I am normally tediously athletic and well. The flu itself was mild but the respiratory effect has been horrible.

I am still on massive antibiotics and have been given the normal flu jab despite illness because if this isn't seasonal flu, it would be scary to get another dose of flu on top.

I shall definitely have the swine flu jab, even though I believe I must have just had swine flu, just in case. And I sincerely hope my family will too.

teenyweenytadpole · 22/10/2009 22:21

I will. I work with children and get every bug going. Last winter I was on steroids and antibiotics and had to go on a nebuliser. I think it's worth any possible risks. I won't however be getting my children vax'd (neither of them has asthma)

Original poster

pofacedandproud · 23/10/2009 11:10

I had to go on a nebuliser in April tadpole. My surgery doesn't even have the vaccine yet.

OP posts:

Original poster

pofacedandproud · 23/10/2009 11:17

That sounds very much like what I experienced in April eclipse. Unfortunately probably not SF for me as just before first UK cases, and I hadn't been anywhere.
Have you thought about getting your antibodies tested?

OP posts:

whitecloud · 23/10/2009 16:01

All geared up to have swine flu jab. Had a letter to say would be having it with seasonal flu one (dd and I both asthmatic). Notice in surgery to say that swine flu vaccine is not available and we'll get it in the next few weeks. As cases are going up we might all end up with swine flue anyway!!

MadHairDay · 23/10/2009 19:48

I am thinking I will have it, I have asthma and also bronchiectasis so on constant meds. Have had my seasonal flu jab. Have been confused by the information but on balance want to do all I can to protect myself as it could be incredibly nasty - I get pneumonia fairly often. Funnily enough I have flu symptoms and dh and dd have had quite a nasty bout of something this week, so am on alert. Not too bad though at present.

suzi2 · 24/10/2009 13:24

I'm asthmatic and I'll be getting it - I get my normal seasonal one next Sat and hopefully they'll be able to tell me when my swine flu one is going to happen.

DS (4) started with "asthma" a year ago and is on daily becotide. He's only triggered by viral things and in the last 6 weeks has had a chest infection, a short stay in hospital with bad asthma (separate incidents) and suspected swine flu though it never went much for his chest. I have had a bit of difficulty getting him the seasonal jab (he gets in next week, assuming he's well enough!) and hopefully then he'll be on the list for the swine flu one. Just hoping he doesn't react to them.

foxinsocks · 24/10/2009 13:25

no because the asthmatics are egg allergic (though have heard there is another option for them but we haven't been offered it!)

we will just have to keep our fingers crossed

Original poster

pofacedandproud · 24/10/2009 22:53

celvapan does not contain eggs foxinsocks - you should be offered it.

OP posts:

foxinsocks · 25/10/2009 09:46

we won't be offered it but if I went and begged for it, I guess they might give it to them. They can't have the seasonal flu vaccine anyway so I'm a bit meh as to whether to bother making a fuss or not.

GhoulsAreLoud · 25/10/2009 09:49

Can anyone tell me how you go about getting the jab if you are asthmatic?

Just found out I'm pregnant and at the Dr's appt I mentioned the jab to him but he just said it wasn't out yet and didn't really tell me any more about it.

Can I just phone up about it do you reckon? If I wasn't pregnant I wouldn't be so bothered.

LeninGhoul · 26/10/2009 13:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MinkyBorage · 26/10/2009 16:07

stewiegriffinsmum* why do you want to get them tow weeks apart?

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