[jen_slc]

I'd like to get an idea of how many of you have gotten this vaccine, for both personal and professional reasons. It's the vaccine to prevent Streptococcus pneumoniae infection, commonly called the pneumonia vaccine. Brandnames are Pneumovax, Pnu-Immune and Prevnar (for the kiddies) if that jogs your memory. It's not a mandatory vaccination, but it's one of the recommended ones for certain age groups (65+) and immunocompromised individuals such as ourselves. It causes middle ear infections, pneumonia, bloodstream infections, sinus infections and meningitis.

I personally haven't ever gotten it, mostly because it's not very visible, I've never known much about it and I didn't think pneumococcal disease was a true/real threat to me. So, who has gotten one? And who recommended it to you (primary care doc, endocrinologist, other specialist)?

[Funnygrl]

My primary care doctor gave it to me, but I had to practically beg for it. I have GERD, which puts me at risk for pneumonia, diabetes, and asthma. And I work in healthcare. If there was ever a person who should get it, that's me.

[camjen1]

I still regret not getting it because I went through two bouts of pneumonia in a 4 month span. I to suffer from asthma but I don't fathom the idea of injecting anything else into me except for insulin and my yearly flu vaccine which is mandatory.

[Funnygrl]

Originally Posted by camjen1

I still regret not getting it because I went through two bouts of pneumonia in a 4 month span. I to suffer from asthma but I don't fathom the idea of injecting anything else into me except for insulin and my yearly flu vaccine which is mandatory.

Yikes! That sounds horrible.

[camjen1]

Believe me when I say pneumonia was only a piece of the puzzle this past season. I have never been as sick as I was over the Winter months.

But I'm happy to say if I should ever fall ill in the next few months to a year I have a cabinet full of prescription meds that would ease every possible ailment.

[Funnygrl]

Originally Posted by camjen1

Believe me when I say pneumonia was only a piece of the puzzle this past season. I have never been as sick as I was over the Winter months.

But I'm happy to say if I should ever fall ill in the next few months to a year I have a cabinet full of prescription meds that would ease every possible ailment.

Good deal! Everybody needs their own personal pharmacopia.

[princesslinda]

I got my first pneumonia vaccine in '06, shortly after my diagnosis. My physician said I should have another shot in 5 years, as i'm under 65 it may not hold me my entire life. I work in a physician's office, so i'm exposed to a lot of germs as well, so I had no problem with taking it. Other than a sore arm, I had no symptoms that I was aware of...unlike with the flu shot, which often makes me have cold/flu symptoms. I've had a flu shot for the past 20 years, ever since starting work in healthcare.

[nneighbour]

In the past few years my provincial government has really been promoting the vaccine. I requested it when I went to an emergency clinic for a yeast infection, which eventually lead to my diagnosis as a diabetic.

If it can help, why not?

[kgm0612]

My PCP highly recommended the pneumonia shot back in 03', the year I was dx'd. I also get a flu shot every October.

Karen

[Injecto]

I said yes because of my Endo and CDE, but also my main doctor agreed it was very good.

[KritterMom]

I get one every year. A few years ago I didn't get one because it was in short supply, and I got very, very sick with the flu. From now on, every single year I will get one.

[buzzborne]

I had it about 3years ago - I went to go and have my flu jab - and they offered it to me then so i said yes - they said you might as well have it.. but no recommendation or anything.

[DeusXM]

Same as Buzzborne - was at the doc's for a routine appointment and they asked whether I wanted it because they had a load lying around and I was an 'at risk' group anyway. Had a sore arm for a couple of days and that's about it.

[blacklightmike]

Got one on the way out of the hospital in February... literally, bags in hand, walking out, rolling up my sleeve. The most painful injection I've ever felt... it really lingers.

[slipperyelm]

I had a pneumonia vaccine so long ago that I'm probably due for another. It was 2 or 3 years later that my MD's nurse offered it, but I had gotten it of my own volition at the city health department--convenient walk-in, no appointment necessary.