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Pneumonia injection - what do people think?

(111 Posts)
DaisyL Thu 23-Mar-23 11:53:15

Has anyone had the pneumonia injection? My GP surgery has just rung and offered one to me and I have told the I'm going to think about it - seem to have had so many jabs recently.

lovebeigecardigans1955 Sat 25-Mar-23 13:21:12

I was refused the pneumonia jab a few years back as I was judged just a little too young - then a year later I got wretched pneumonia which was awful. I flopped about in my dressing gown for weeks on end, I couldn't stop coughing for long enough to wash, dress, eat or drink and lost 7 lbs in weight very quickly. I was within a hairs breadth of being taken away by ambulance.

A few years later after being on chemo and my immune system being 'shot' I was allowed the jab - I had to ask for it though, it wasn't offered. Please get the jab - don't go through what I went through.

CrazyGrandma2 Sat 25-Mar-23 13:36:34

Had pneumonia vaccination in my early 60s when I was advised to have it because of a lung condition. Don't remember any side effects. I was also told it was a one off. Had shingles vaccination when turned 70.

grandtanteJE65 Sat 25-Mar-23 13:42:31

Go for it.
We had ours both last year and this year. No problems at all.

Didn't stop DH getting pneumonia, but he was not seriously ill with it, which he just might have been if he had said no to the vaccination.

MillieBoris Sat 25-Mar-23 13:52:42

Had it a few years ago and remember a very painful arm for several days but no regrets

Witzend Sat 25-Mar-23 13:58:01

Having just spent nearly 3 weeks in hospital after a nasty bug turned to (bacterial) pneumonia, followed by pleurisy, I will definitely be having the jab once it’s offered.

Nannan2 Sat 25-Mar-23 14:01:23

I would say its worth it.Especially if getting it free! It costs a lot if at chemists.I paid for mine & elder sons and youngest had his at drs as he was just u der 18 (he's disabled &veryasthmatic so his neuro doc recommended it) but none of us had any bad reactions just arm a bit sore a few days.it cost £72 each at chemists. It lasts about ten years though.I thought was worth it and am happier knowing we're covered for practically everything we can.My DD's boyfriend caught it even before covid was around and he was very very ill & in hospital months-but he was only mid-twentys so i thought well best take no chances then.🤔😷🤒

Nannan2 Sat 25-Mar-23 14:02:01

*under

Nannan2 Sat 25-Mar-23 14:05:21

You wouldnt get pnuemonia jab this year & last year- chemist and gp nurse said it lasts around ten years then they recommend its repeated.

Milest0ne Sat 25-Mar-23 14:09:51

I have every jab offered. I have not had any side effects from any of them. We have just been offers our spring covid jab and will take them. Even though our last results from ONS monthly testing showed we have a high level of antibodies for covid .

Candelle Sat 25-Mar-23 14:38:07

I had the (anti!) pneumonia vaccine many years ago and have not had pneumonia since, despite several nasty chest infections.

Why would you not accept this inoculation? If you have pneumonia even once, you will understand how awful it can be and how it leaves you much depleted for several months aftrwards. Please accept the invitation and have the jab.

Saggi Sat 25-Mar-23 14:39:20

I had the jab at 72 , along with the flu jab ….the doctor ( a young man) said to me
“There you go… you won’t need that again ,..it’ll last 20 years”
So I said I’d see him when I was 92 then. He smiled and said he hoped he would. As all the women In my family live into their 90’s , I’m in with a good chance!!

Saggi Sat 25-Mar-23 14:40:26

….also , I’ve had pneumonia and it’s so much worse than Covid …and I’ve had that three times!

Frankie51 Sat 25-Mar-23 14:47:53

I had no side effects whatsoever , and I often react strongly to injections. It won't harm to have it just in case.

Vintagenonna Sat 25-Mar-23 15:33:29

Do take it, DaisyL.

I was banged up in an isolation cubicle having wonderful treatment for a very odd illness that turned out to be atypical pneumonia (and other nasties) on the day I was due to have my pneumonia jab.

It took months to get back to work and three years for the weight to creep back back on. Going from a healthy size 12 to size 8 isn't all good news.

Good luck.

4allweknow Sat 25-Mar-23 15:41:48

No pneumonia vaccination offered so far but I woukd have it. Just recovering from shingles Had it in 2005, vaccination, and yet again. Very painful in facial nerves this time. Back didn't seem nearly so painful.

Twig14 Sat 25-Mar-23 15:43:37

I had the injection and extremely glad I did as I have just ended up in hospital with breathing problems following bad dose of Covid. Consultant told me he had to look for worse case scenario Pneumonia. Chest X Ray n blood test followed. Diagnosed with long Covid but thankfully not pneumonia.

Dixieblue Sat 25-Mar-23 16:25:16

I’m with you on the covid jabs. Both myself and my daughter had the covid vaccine but because of treatment she’d had for myasthenia Gravis, they didn’t work for her. We only know this because we both were part of the ONS covid study, testing monthly and having antibody tests and she had no antibodies against covid. However we both ended up with covid a few months into the study. Following that, she tested positive for antibodies at a higher level as did I.
So I’m convinced the vaccine isn’t necessary for everyone.
I’ll have the pneumonia vaccine when offered and continue to have the annual flu jab.

Elegran Sat 25-Mar-23 16:30:09

Perhaps some of her higher antibody level ws due to her previous Covid vaccination, activated by getting Covid later?

Saetana Sat 25-Mar-23 16:42:34

My late husband had one three years ago at the same time as his flu jab, one in each arm - he was only early 50s but vulnerable due to COPD. No ill effects at all other than a slightly aching arm.

Jaxjacky Sat 25-Mar-23 16:49:15

You’ve reminded me to book mine in DaisyL thank you.

glammagran Sat 25-Mar-23 17:07:50

I had it last year and didn’t have any reaction at all. Unlike my 3rd Moderna vaccine which made me ill for a fortnight. Getting Covid was nothing like as bad.

Greyjoy1953 Sat 25-Mar-23 19:08:15

I think it’s well worth having because pneumonia is one of the biggest killers in older folk. I’ve also had the shingles jab now. Whatever jab I’m offered I take and I get my mum who is 88 to have them all too.

HiMay Sat 25-Mar-23 19:12:02

I’ve had pneumonia twice, so was very grateful to have the jab. My dad died of pneumonia in the days when there were no vaccines.

sazz1 Sat 25-Mar-23 22:08:23

I had the pneumonia vaccine with a flu vaccine years ago as I have a lung condition. No reaction at all to either.
My dad died of pneumonia so when I saw my GP next I asked if it wasn't very effective as I was sure he'd had the vaccine. My GP said its like the flu jab and only protects against a few strains and there are many different strains. It's definitely worth having though incase you get a strain it's effective against.

JackyB Sun 26-Mar-23 11:27:13

When I think of all the people I have known who went into hospital for one thing, and caught pneumonia or something similar whilst there and died from it, I would also take it if offered.

Had my second shingles jab last week and although I rarely react to vaccinations, including the first shingles jab, this time I was fluey and shivery for the rest of the day and night. I got over it easily and have since discovered that my youngest DGS had the same symptoms (without having been vaccinated) so maybe it was something going round.