It's very unlikely (Kelli correct me please) that a pneumonia shot will do anything in your system. Unless they think that the antibodies you're infusing will hang around long enough to carry it? Most of us were dx'd using the pneumonia vaccine, and when the reports came back 4 weeks later, we had very few and mostly NO antibodies at all. I'd question your doctor to the necessity of this. Your IVIG wears out of your system and is replaced...I forget the half-life rate. I think it starts dissipating at 2 weeks.

From what I understand, you'll probably end up with a very sore arm and no protection whatsoever. But, again--ask your immunologist. Give them a call and see.

Teal is absolutely correct. Typically people are given 2 vaccines (pneumonia, tdap, etc) and then they look to see if your body made antibodies. At least one must be poor/no response to get the CVID diagnosis. Our infusions have antibodies to pneumonia in it, which is why we typically never get pneumonia again once we start treatment. If your doc is suggesting this, you may want to seek out a more knowledgeable doc.

I agree, the pneumonia shot will not work for us. This is the first fall and winter I have not had bronchitis and or pneumonia. So thankful for being on the IVIG and the right dose so infections right now are not occuring. I still use to get URI, bronchitis and or pneumonia the first couple of years on the IVIG, but the dose and frequency had to be adjusted. As my Dr says, we are actually better gaurded being on the IVIG.

Thanks for the info guys. You know, this is the best place to go for useful information regarding this illness :)

I wasn't diagnosed by using the vaccine process, my immunologist said "The medical system has failed you so far, but I think I can help." Then he did some blood tests. My illness had become apparent when I had sinus surgery that didn't work, then another surgery that didn't work, and got sicker and then got allergies....Anyway, i hadn't been aware of finding out about CVID through the pneumonia vaccine until I started looking around this site.
I always appreciate what I learn here, and I am so happy to know that I am part of a community.

That's a real surprise. One of the only way ins. companies will approve you for treatment is the pneumonia vaccine titres and over all IgG,IgA, IgE, IgM blood levels. You MAY want to seek a second opinion or you may be unaware he's done some of these tests (not all doctors are communicative). I'd def. ask, though.

I completely agree with Teal...although if you are already on treatment that would mean that you have to stop for 6 months before re-testing. Here is a blurb from Dr. Charlotte Cunningham-Rundles:

"Common variable immunodeficiency is a rare immune deficiency, characterized by low levels of serum immunoglobulin G, A, and/or M with loss of antibody production" and

"Sometimes forgotten, the additional necessary criteria for CVID also include a proven lack of specific IgG antibody production, which is usually demonstrated by lack of IgG responses (not attaining laboratory-defined protective levels) to 2 or more protein vaccines, such as tetanus or diphtheria toxoids, Hemophilus conjugate, measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines, and also by a lack of response to pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines."

Now most docs don't make you fail BOTH vaccines. I think I passed my TDAP but failed the pneumonia. They give the vaccine (prior to starting treatment) and wait 3 weeks and test to see if you made antibodies. I guess the real challenge now is, I have seen insurance randomly pull people off of treatment and make them retest or make them find original test results and re-prove they were tested correctly. A second opinion might be a good idea.

My blood levels were very low for IgG, and IgA was low too. I have a history of being sick constantly, and the failed sinus surgeries were the other trigger point for my immunologist. I am also from Canada, and I know that I am covered through our medicare system for my treatments, so perhaps the process is a little different here(?).

OH CANADA! From what I understand, they do not require any vaccine challenges there. That is a US thing. I was thinking of asking you that when I replied too. Sorry for dropping the ball on my post!

Its always good to chat with everyone on here...I am going to talk to my public health nurse, and see what else she has to say. According to what information she has, I am to get pneumonia vaccine as a cautionary measure. I'd rather not if it wont do anything though. Anyway, i will call her and tell her what I've learned here. Thanks again everyone :)
Kelli, i don't think you dropped the ball on anything...I didn't say which country i was from in the first place, and I appreciate the info I get from you and everyone else here.

Hi, I was diagnosed with CVID in 2013. I have been on replacement therapy for almost three years. Like Tina, my diagnosis didnt involve vaccines. I am from the UK.
I dont really understand how does antibiotics work whe you have viral infections, The inmunologist has told me that even when it is viral I have to take them. Any insights? I have been ill with what looks like a nasty cold mixed with upset stomach for 16 days now and I am on day 8 of antibiotics but I dont feel like they are working, normally when I take them on day 3 I am out of bed,

Also, my mom has just recommended for me to take whay protein as supplement. If the booster shoots dont work the same way on people with our condition, should I assume that supplements don't work the same way either? Has anyone used supplements like that on top of replacement therapy or instead?

I was also wondering when to get a shingles vaccine and all of the shots you're supposed to get after 50. It sounds like I shouldn't get them at all?

Sherianne, the hingles shot is a live virus and as far as I know those with cvid should not get live virus vaccines .
Tina, I am also from Canada and yes was also recommended to have the pneumonia shot as precautionary as well. Message me if you would like more info .