DS2 has been offered pneumococcal vax

[sphil]

And I'm ashamed to say I don't know much about it. DS2(7) hasn't had any vax since MMR at 16 months. He is severely autistic and allergic to a wide variety of foods and other substances. He is also an asthmatic (but is on regular inhaled steroids and has had no bouts at all since Jan 2009).
I'd like some help weighing up the pros and cons. Thought I'd have to do the same thing over the swine flu vax but he was never offered it .
TIA

My dd2 has had it (the pneumonia jab).

She has had severe pneumonia once (was in hosp on oxygen) and it is pretty scary. It left her with bronchiectasis on top of her other conditions, so not good. That is what will eventually kill her, so anything to avoid another bout of pneumonia.

Have a good discussion with your doc, to help you decide, but I would definitely go for it.

Hi, my ds has this also. I am under the impression, although I could be wrong, that it doesn't prevent. Even with the vax he still has recurrent silent double pneumonia, needing oxygen and intravenus drugs, however how would he be without the vax!!
As for allergic reactions, talk again with the doc, though I don't think they would offer something if it wasn't needed. Also my son has steroids orally liquid form if that makes a difference.
We haven't plucked up the courage for the swine flu jab as yet though he does need this due to heart condition etc.
When my ds gets a needle we have it staged. Although being down syndrome he has a lot of dxd autistic traits. A doctor does it instead of a nurse. With a few nurses on hand to pin him down, distract him etc.
HTH x

Meant to say melted has your dd had the swineflu jab and wasshe ok??

The Pneumonia jab will only protect against a certain form of pneumonia, as I understand it - and there are many, viral or bacterial which can be any bacteria which happens to be flating past when you breathe in - or have I got that totally wrong? (Quite possible!)

Dd2 had the flu jab and swine flu (so did I) with no major problems.

Devientenigma - pinning down gets harder as they grow bigger, doesn't it! Even my dd2 with all her hypotonia who cannot even stand up, can wriggle and fight like a cat when a needle comes near!