Pneumococcal Vaccination?

moulesy
moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
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edited February 2018 in General Chat #1

Since joining the ranks of the seriously senior citizens I seem to have heard more from our local doctor's surgery than in all the previous years I've been with them! I suppose in a way it's quite reassuring that they know I'm still breathing. wink

So first came an invitation for an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm scan, which I'very accepted having lost my mum to a massive heart attack at just 61 it seemed wise.

Now today and invitation for a Pneumococcasion Vaccination to protect against pneumonia which I'm not so sure about. I'm generally not one to take unnecessary medication and, although it says this is a recommended preventative vaccine, my inclination is to say no.

So has anybody had this Vaccination? Are there any side effects? Any advice, anyone?

Comments

  • heddlo
    heddlo Forum Participant Posts: 872 ✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #2

    Yes I've had mine Moulesy a couple of years ago now.  No problems or reaction at all. 

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #3

    Well, taking my eyes off the Olympic ski jumping etc just now I found this info via the NHS web site.

    see here

    Both OH and I have had the jab, no side effects. In fact having seen one of our daughters become seriously ill with pneumonia a few years ago we were glad to take up the offer. smile

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,667 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #4

    I had it a few years back, no side effects.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,859 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #5

    We had it a couple of years ago and I don't recall any side effects. They immunise babies against all sorts of illnesses so why not pensioners?

    David

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited February 2018 #6

    I declined recently on the basis it was an illness I couldn't spell.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,138 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #7

    No side effects here either.

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
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    edited February 2018 #8

    Just been to see my Parents and they told be that their neighbour of 40 years died on Tuesday of a Pneumococal infection, that is a pretty serious side effect

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #9

    Having had pneumonia last winter if I was offered it I would except.

    Maybe when I reach the golden age I will find out, a few months to wait though.

    The other one I would be happy to have is shingles, again having had 2 attacks of it I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #10

    Thanks for all your replies. I'm swayed a bit in favour, but will obviously have to give it some more thought.

  • Yertiz
    Yertiz Forum Participant Posts: 324 ✭✭✭
    edited February 2018 #11

    Moulesy, I presume you are going to get your AAA checked?

    Only ask, as I had a 8.5cm Aneurysm when they checked mine 3 years ago.

    It's one of my crusades to ensure that people are aware how dangerous this silent killer is.

    It looks as if you are, but, please don't avoid it.

    Please let us know how it goes.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,667 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #12

    I appear to have fallen through the cracks meantime on that, it seems everyone other than we 75 year  olds are entitled to it!

    Apparently I will be eligable from September this year.

    I will be making sure I request it asap.

    OH has not had the pneumonia one, I will need to see she gets it this year.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,667 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #13

    I had the AAA scan last year, or was it the year before!  Cannot remember, but I did have it and it was fine.

  • moulesy
    moulesy Forum Participant Posts: 9,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #14

    Yes = that's the one I'm definitely going for - already got an appointment booked, but not till the end of March!

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,667 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #15

    I just rang up some central place up here and they offered me a range of appointments at various nearby hospitals.

    Our nearest was well booked up, so I selected the next nearest and I went there within 10 days.  Only about 4-5 miles to drive, and all done within about 5 minutes.

    There was nobody waiting, I went straight in, and the result was good.

    Very good service.

  • Yertiz
    Yertiz Forum Participant Posts: 324 ✭✭✭
    edited February 2018 #16

    Glad you've got an appointment sorted. Shame it's not until March but keep us posted please.

    It's a nasty thing, if you have one. I've never been so scared in my life when they found mine!

    Sorry for the thread drift.

  • redface
    redface Forum Participant Posts: 1,701
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    edited February 2018 #17

    I had a scan for an aneurysm, nothing was found but the doctor seemed to suggest that I had wasted everyone's very expensive time.

    Now I know why I don't bother with simpler things like Flu jabs etc.

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
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    edited February 2018 #18

    Maybe the need to run a test for excessively thin skin?

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,667 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #19

    I take everything going, OH needs me here  as her pension is very  small,  but  I hope  to be around for another 20 years, at least

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited February 2018 #20
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  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited February 2018 #21

    Our Practice  in  Cheshire  offers  Flu & Pneumonia  jabs  at  the  same  session  in  late  Autumn.  The  P-jab  is  a  one-off  as  far  as  I  am  aware  but  I  certainly  had  no  after  effects  at  all,  Moulesy.   From  my  point  of  view  I'd  say  Go  For  It !

     

    Like  others  have  said  on  here,  I'm  of  an  age  that  falls  between  two  stools,  so to  speak,  as  far  as  Shingles  is  concerned,  if  they  don't  shift  the  posts  any  further  I  should  get  it  within  the  next  ( to  be  decided )  years !!

     

    Brian

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #22

    undecided not sure on that, would need to check with Dr.

    Shingles isn't very nice and can be very painful so anything that could lessen the affect is worth it. My first attack was caught very early on and the tablets given helped with the virus but the pain was awful for 2 weeks, my second attack just recently, the pain wasn't so intense but lasted 4 weeks, I still have the postherpetic neuralgia. So yes agree if offered take it.

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,957 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #23

    Just found this on the internet

    The most common type of pneumonia is pneumococcal, caused by the bacteria streptococcus pneumoniae, which can be vaccinated against. However, there are many other causes of pneumonia that can't be prevented with a vaccine.

    So in my case yes I would have the vaccination as I don't know what the cause was.

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #24

    In the days before all these things were on offer we all had to take our chances with some nasty diseases, anything that lessens the chances of getting them and keeps us out of busy NHS wards is welcome! smile

    Apologies TG our posts crossed.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,667 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #25

    I just checked for Scotland and it says I will be elegible from September 2018, seems we 75/76 year olds will be the last to get the vaccination. We seem to have missed out for the last 5 years, which is bad.

    When we had our flu jabs last October, OH, who knows about these things, asked when I could get the shingles vaccination, the nurse said they would call me in when I was due.

    OH will be making sure I get it no doubt.  Will be next year till she is eligible.  You have to be 70 at the qualifying date in the September to get it that year  onwards.

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
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    edited February 2018 #26

    I'm  assuming,  Kj,  that  being  born during  the  war  they  reckon  we  can  stand  most  things  that  come  our  way. 

  • richardandros
    richardandros Club Member Posts: 2,681 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2018 #27

    Had mine two years ago - apparently anyone over 60 in our area is eligible.  Went for my 'flu jab and the Dr actually asked me if I wanted the pneumonia jab at the same time.  Both jabs done in a tick and no side effects whatsoever. 

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
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    edited February 2018 #28

    Whilst men are routinely invited for this scan, can I also take the time to remind everyone that women can suffer an aortic aneurysm too.  My friend, in her fifties (and now quite a few years ago) was having a routine scan for something else, when a huge aneurysm was detected, and she was rushed from the scanning room to the operating theatre, where she was operated on within the hour.  it was apparently just on the brink of perforating - and if it goes, so do you!   Fortunately my friend was operated on just in time, and is now back to completely full health again.

    It is a silent killer, but some people get symptoms of a pulsing sensation in the tummy, abdominal pain in the centre of the abdomen, or low back pain.  Don't ignore these!

  • Yertiz
    Yertiz Forum Participant Posts: 324 ✭✭✭
    edited February 2018 #29

    That's a very valid point Valda, I should have added that women can be affected by this silent killer.

    Spot on regarding the very few symptoms that can give a bit of warning.

    Also, as you correctly say, if it goes then you have under a minute before the end! Nasty. surprised

  • Spriddler
    Spriddler Forum Participant Posts: 646
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    edited February 2018 #30

    Cuh! What is it with old people? CT is just like my Mum's Over 60's Club, discussing illnesses, afflictions and operations. Still, it makes a change from sneering at the daughter-in-law's soggy roast potatoes I suppose.

    Have I mentioned when the doc was in the middle of my prostate examination and presumably trying to put me at ease he asked me what I did for a living. When I said I was a used car salesman he said: "Goodness me. I wouldn't want your job". 

    wink

  • Mitsi Fendt
    Mitsi Fendt Forum Participant Posts: 484
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    edited February 2018 #31

    I had one a few years ago with no side effects. 

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