The only prohibition is to not get a flu shot if you still have fever. With no fever even if still suffering from slight addition respiratory problems a flu shot is OK.

Interesting, although the virus is inactive a side-effect can be a low grade fever with body/joint aches. (ie, mild flu symptoms). (Smile)

Of course if you have any concerns at all contact your pulmonologist.

Glad you're feeling better Ireyn330. I haven't felt too good the past couple of weeks, and I was scheduled for oral surgery, (yesterday) September 22nd.

Every year, we go to Kmart to receive our flu shot, we have to fill out a form, questions included, person's overall health, at the time they are coming in for immunization, including, allergies. If their not convinced your well, they'll tell you

My husband and I went over to Kmart on (Saturday) September 19th...that's where we usually get our flu shot.

I had to make the decision on which flu shot...I chose the original shot with 3 strains. For me, I work on the weekend out of my home, and I have to be careful with germs and the flu. I do wear gloves, and wash my hands all the time.

The best advice I can give you, is to trust your own instincts on this. If you're not feeling up to par yet...then, wait to receive your flu shot. Please, don't let anyone come to your home, if they're not feeling well and don't go out into public...until you have the flu shot.

The pneumonia shot I haven't received and I won't until I speak to my doctor and pharmacist.

I hope this helps you.
I'm preparing to start my research trial for COPD. Wish me luck.

Take care, and God bless...Lisa

P.S. added to my message to you above...if you're still not sure what to Dow regarding flu and pneumonia shots, consult your doctor.

I agree that you should ask your dr that has been treating your illness as he knows what medications you have been on & if it could inhibit the shot in any way.
My dr insisted I get the "double dose" this year, but from what I understand it is just the 3 strains of flu, isn't it? (i would have preferred the one with 4 if i had a choice.
Once I was told to wait 2 weeks after antibiotics to get the flu shot, but things may be different since I was told that.

as for the pnuemonia shot; I had to "renew" my pneumonia shot last year & I waited a month between getting the flu & pneumonia shot.
I also made sure he gave me the shots in different shoulders as the pneumonia shot can make your arm a bit sore for a few days.
Oh I also got my pneumonia in my "non dominant" arm so if my arm got sore it wasn't the one I use to do everything.
(nothing controlling about me LOL)
I often have reactions to shot's so I find spacing them I don't have to wonder what is affecting me if something does.

I went to a pharmacy to get my shot one year, as my dr didn't have any...they seemed very thorough at screening before giving it to me. I was happy to see that & felt safe getting it from them after that :)

ps. sorry you have been sick & i'm glad you are feeling better.
My prayers are with you.

This subject comes up every year, and every year the CDC re-works their website to enforce all new navigation for information, (Smile) BUT this is THE site to always use every year to learn more than most of us ever wanted to know about the flue season and flu vaccinations in the US. (Other countries have similar 'government' sites, but as the CDC tracks flu strains around the world - the info will be quite similar.)

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/index.htm

One of the more interesting resources (although perhaps not surprising) that has shown up over the last couple of years is mobile applications that track current flue 'epidemics' / 'outbreaks'. Many of us, especially those that live in the west or more isolated areas, tend to get a bit careless about prevention via exposure - these Apps tell you when it is really best to avoid people and hunker down at home.

Good Luck to everyone this year. See you on the other side around March. Grin.

gnott, that is a great site!

"Rhinovirus" is high in my area. Also RSV always seems to run high---why aren't there vaccines against those?

I still don't understand why the "high dose" vaccine only has 3 strains & the "quadrivalent" has 4 strains though.
It seems like if I need the "high dose" it should have the extra protection of the "quadrivalent" too----still searching for the reasoning behind that.
(i can search this site all winter & not get bored LOL---ty again for putting the link)

Ireyn;
on this page, it shows all the shots, but also the "precautions". =
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/vaccines.htm

= "Contraindications*: Severe allergic reaction to any vaccine component, including egg protein, or after previous dose of any influenza vaccine.

Precautions*: Moderate to severe acute illness with or without fever; history of Guillain-Barr syndrome within 6 weeks of receipt of influenza vaccine.

So far I can't find anything recommending how long you should "wait" after being sick.
It does say to wait 2 weeks if you have been given an antiviral, but I can't find if you should wait if you have been on antibiotics :/

Jarca, -> I still don't understand why the "high dose" vaccine only has 3 strains & the "quadrivalent" has 4 strains though.

That is because the terms apply to two entirely different formulations and are predominately historical in nature. A high dose vaccine has a higher dose of antigen of the three types it contains and was created for and tested mainly for a particular population. This formulation has been around since the beginning and has a longer period of observation and testing. The quadrivalent has a normal or lower dose of the original three but contains an extra antigen this product is relatively new, a much shorter period of observation and experimentation, and has a slightly different target group.

The short answer they aint got around to creating and testing a higher dose quadrivalent yet. Smile.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/qa_fluzone.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/quadrivalent.htm

There is a new pneumonia shot this year. I thought I was done with pneumonia shots last year (two shots 5 years apart), but then they came out with this new one. It's call Prevnar 13 or something like that.

Susan

The Pneumococcal Vaccines aren't exactly 'new', they have been around for some 25+ years. They were originally for children, but have since been approved for adults

That was odd. The middle and last part of my post was truncated. LOL

Just as well I didn't really say that much ...

http://www.immunize.org/askexperts/experts_pneumococcal_vaccines.asp

geez. I am good at keeping my records, but now i am confused....
Like susan I got my 2nd pnuemonia shot last year; 5 years apart.
how do I know "which" one I got?

Most countries are required to keep detailed records. As long as you can remember from who or where you got a "shot", the name you were using at the time, and the clinic wasn't in a thatched hut or abandoned warehouse, you should be able to find out - either directly or via your current GP.

simple...ask your Doctor!

I love having this site that keeps me informed & learning.

Since my PCP did my "booster" it was only a matter of calling & asking his nurse.
yup, I need to get the "new to adult" one next month.

I've seen how well having the vaccine has worked in my family & myself who used to get pneumonia yearly until we got this vaccine.
At 1st I thought maybe getting a 2nd one was "overkill", but then my lungs aren't getting any stronger, so I guess another vaccine is better than getting pneumonia.

I wouldn't have known there was more than 1 vaccine, let alone if I needed it; so thank you for bringing it up susan.