I am sure there are some statistics out there somewhere............all I know is that they gave it to me last June when I was in the hospital with a flare-up and so far I haven't got pneumonia...........a few months later I also got a flu shot.............

60 y/o and my first time for both.....................and so far, I haven't gotten either............I guess time will tell:):)

There are many forms of pneumonia , and the shot protects you from some of the most common, but you can still get pneumonia if you have copd.
It is just not as bad if you have had your shot.
You can get pneumonia from inhaling irritants, bacteria, and virus. The shot protects from some of the bacterial.
I get the flu shot every year and did get the pneumonia shot, but have only had pneumonia once in the 10 years since and it was taken care of quickly.
If you know how to do the search engine on your computer, type in pneumonia/injection and it will give you lots of info.
It is recommended especially for folks with lung disease.

My Dr. prescribed the pneumonia vaccine also.. Did it and I stay away from sickly people anyway.

I've heard 60% bandied about for an effectiveness. Brenda is right, you can get pneumonia a handful of ways. I look at it thi sway: If I can reduce the number of ways I could die because of this disease it is worth it...

Hugs,
Dennis

I received a pneumonia shot 2 years ago, and got pneumonia this past July. At the time, I wasn't diagnosed with COPD>

But that was the 1st time i ever had pneumonia in my life.

Boo

I get both the flu shot every 5 yrs & the flu shot every year.i honestly think it helps a lot. You have to use common sense too. I stay AWAY from sick people & go to the stores at 7:00am when they open.

Hi Boo,

For someone who has been dx'd with COPD, the pneumonia shot is required. In the last three years I've had the shot three times. In that same period of time, I've had pneumonia seven times! Here's where the problem lies with the shot: It only protects you from one type of pneumonia, the pneumoccocal variety, I get pneumonia more readily than most COPD'ers because of an ongoing, virulent lung infection throughout my lungs, a MRSA infection. As my pulmo states regarding the infection: "It's a wait and watch type situation now." So. I sit here most days just waiting and watching. For what? I don't really know and both my pulmo and regular PCP's won't tell me.

So, in the meantime, I exercise daily as a direct result of my stroke last August, and talk to y'all in the COPD group, and several Parkinson Disease support groups that I belong to. Re-enforcing and supporting those who need it, when they need it!BTW Boo: I've had Parkinson Disease now for 36 Years, in addition to my COPD dx three years ago!

Sabrina, I get the shot every year, because I believe in an pound of prevention. Having said that, my lungs are so shot, that I get pneumonia at the drop of a hat anyway, but feel if this shot slows that chance down even a step it is worth it to me. But also understand that the shot itself does not protect you from all the various blends of pnemonia, it is designed for strains of pneumonia and helps to decrease your chance of getting a particular strain. Please take care -- Bill

like silfox said it only protects from one form of pneumonia, but my daughter sold me on it 10 years ago when the dr gave her one for her "YEARLY" hospitalization of pneumonia.
i got mine 4 1/2 years ago (they told me to get one every 5 years) when i was caring for my invalid mother & i haven't gotten pneumonia since.
BTW; my daughter was due for her 3rd one this year, didn't get it and ended up with pneumonia again.
i never got flu shots either until i got sick of being sick when i was diagnosed with COPD.
now i get a flu shot every year.
i know the vaccines wont stop every bug, but every one they do stop is a plus for me :)

I was in the hospital with Pneumonia last Sep...the Doc said if I had not had the shot I would have been in worse shape.

I believe all our shots are there for a reason, whether we get them or not is up to each person. I for one want to be safe than sorry.