I've had my flu jab....

seven-day-weekend

Resurrected this thread to say I have had my 2014 flu jab today. Whilst there, I was asked if I wanted a pneumonia jab. They are available to people of 65-ish (I am not 65 until January), and I presume older. You only have to have them once. I had mine in the opposite arm to my flu jab.

So, if you want one and it is not offered, ask.

Hope this helps.

Mrs_pbradley936

I had my flu jab the other day too - they are early this year.

Flugelhorn

I've had mine cos I work at GP surgery, remarkably painless this year and no achey arm.

The Pneumo is offered to those who will be 65 by end March 2015

bondy01

Flugelhorn wrote: »

The Pneumo is offered to those who will be 65 by end March 2015

I'm 55 and was in hospital for a week 4 years ago with pneumonia. I didn't even know there was one. Shame it is not offered to people who have had it in the past. Don't get me started on the antibiotic side (or in my case backside) effects.....:D

Flugelhorn

bondy01 wrote: »

I'm 55 and was in hospital for a week 4 years ago with pneumonia. I didn't even know there was one. Shame it is not offered to people who have had it in the past. Don't get me started on the antibiotic side (or in my case backside) effects.....:D

It is actually just for Strep Pneumoniae infection - unfortunately there are some other nasties that can cause pneumonia too, it doesn't cover them. People who have had spleens removed are particularly at risk so they get the injection every few years

hm yes, I like your description of the "backside effects"

bondy01

Flugelhorn wrote: »

It is actually just for Strep Pneumoniae infection - unfortunately there are some other nasties that can cause pneumonia too, it doesn't cover them. People who have had spleens removed are particularly at risk so they get the injection every few years

hm yes, I like your description of the "backside effects"

Thanks for that. The emoticon in my earlier response to you with the lime green part was chosen for a reason. But that is probably too much information.

Torry_Quine

Thanks for the reminder. I need to phone my surgery to get an appointment.

jennifernil

Our surgery starts the flu jabs next weekend, so I will go then. OH got his early as he had a BP check appointment yesterday and the nurse had some spare time.

He had the pneumonia one last year, I think I will get it this year.

iris

If you are in the following age groups don't forget to ask about the shingles jab as well.


The shingles vaccine is given as a single injection for people aged 70, 78 or 79. Unlike the flu jab, you'll only need to have the vaccination once and you can have it at any time of the year.


The shingles vaccine is expected to reduce your risk of getting shingles. If you are unlucky enough to go on to have the disease, your symptoms may be milder and the illness shorter.

seven-day-weekend

I asked about the shingles jab but neither myself nor my husband are in the age group. I was also told you had to be 70, 78 or 79.

Why those three such exact ages, I wonder?????

(I've found the answer. It's because it's only just started in 2013 and there is not enough vaccine to do everyone in their 70s all at once, so they started last year with the 70-year-olds and the 79-year-olds (because the older ones will be outside the age range the following year) and this year they have also included 78-year-olds. In effect they are playing catch-up and presumably eventually it will be for everyone in their 70s).