Hi Holly - gosh it is awful to pneumonia, I do hope you feeling a little better.

I've had my pneumonia shot but of course even with this we cannot guarantee not getting pneumonia, however I do believe that in having it - the body does build some immune chemistry for when the real things comes along.

The British Lung Foundation has a leaflet you can download in pdf from their site ( link below) - also this information from last year taken from the site:

"Worldwide concern over rise of new strains of pneumonia, says British Lung Foundation 14/4/2008

Serotype 1, a life threatening strain of pneumonia, is on the rise in children figures suggest. Data presented at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Conference suggest it could affects up to 1,000 children a year in the UK and this figure is set to increase in the future. The rise of the strain may be caused by the current vaccination programme in infants which does not include protection against the serotype 1 strain.

There is a worldwide concern about the rise of new strains of pneumonia, including some, like the serotype 1 strain, which are resistant to antibiotics and are currently not protected against in current vaccination programmes, said Professor Warren Lenny, spokesperson for the British Lung Foundation Complications that arise from the infection can be life threatening and children are particularly vulnerable. The British Lung Foundation is funding research into better vaccinations for pneumonia and other chest infections as part of a worldwide research effort to address this problem.

Children are given the pneumococcal vaccine at two and four months with a booster at 13 months which is very successful at protecting against pneumonia though new antibiotic strains are emerging to replace those which are being eradicated by the vaccination programme. A nationwide study is currently being undertaken to understand why stereotype 1 is becoming more virulent and to research more effective vaccinations which will protect against all strains of pneumonia.

Read more and download pdf leaflect from this page:

http://www.lunguk.org/OneStopCMS/Core/SearchResults.aspx

God Bless Holly - Hope you recovery real good real soon xoxox

Ive heard it said you only need the shot once every 3 to 5 years but Im not sure .

In UK for COPD and Cardiac - or people at risk its a lifetime shot (ie you only need once) although I think another can be administered if you need a boost later in life.

I note there are using another pneumonia vaccine for the children though from that April article.

Who should have the shot?

Your healthcare provider may recommend the shot if:

* You are 65 years old or older.
* You are scheduled to have chemotherapy (have the shot at least 2 weeks before chemotherapy starts).
* You have diabetes, heart disease, chronic lung disease, kidney disease, or liver disease.
* You have leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, multiple myeloma, or lymphoma.
* You are an alcoholic.
* You have HIV/AIDS, an organ transplant, or another condition that has weakened your immune system.
* You have sickle cell disease.
* Your spleen has been removed.

You should have no more than 2 shots of the pneumonia vaccine in your lifetime. The shots should be given at least 5 years apart.

Great post, and a good reminder. My doctor wouldn't let me out of the clinic if I hadn't already had my pneumonia shot. Yes, for most people one shot should last a lifetime, but since I got my shot early because of the COPD, at age 55, I'll have another one at age 65. This is absolutely essential for everyone with COPD, right along with an annual flu shot. Hugs!

In UK anyone who is vulnerable health wise will qualify for pneumonia vaccine. People with COPD qualifiy in UK no matter what age they are.

bump

This is a great COPD supportive post for members so am bumping it up again.

Thanks Sue for your contribution I had my shot early at age 53, but haven't been told I will need another at 65 - I will have to check it out. It may be recommended for individuals depending how vulnerable the doc feels their patient is.

Thank you Holly, Trenzy and Sue

Hey gang have you had your shot

Bump

Thank you for bumping this post .

I was told at rehab today that the shot can last up to 10yrs but in some cases 5yrs.I had mine a few years ago but i still got pneumonia but it wasn't severe.

I think that the shot lessons the blow if you do get pneumonia, just as the flu shot does.
Good Point Ellen.

Stay well everyone,
Love
Holly

Janice,

did I hear you correctly no more than 2 shots in a lifetime? If so why?

I was told every 5 years.

My concern is I had my first shot in 2005 at 35 years old. I would be do again next year at 40. What then??

Thanks
Bridget

That's true Sassy,
and,
We are living longer than they expected so we need the shots more often..
Love to all,
Holly