flu vacination
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Please could any one advice regarding flu injection i am into second year of polumyalgia and low dose of steriods and i am not sure about the flu injection appreciate advice thankyou Joan
1 like, 25 replies
EileenH joan60597
Posted
Having real genuine flu is a serious illness - and probably enough to give rise to a good flare of your PMR! I have never really had any infections since being on pred but some people find they don't fight infections well so the opportunity to give your immune system a bit of practice in recognising the current bugs is a good idea. Otherwise you could catch the flu and be really ill because your body can't get its defences up quickly enough.
It isn't just the flu itself - it can turn into pneumonia and that can take a long time to clear up. My husband missed his flu shot 2 years ago, caught flu, spent a good 2 week in bed, it turned to pneumonia and that took 6 months to clear properly.
Some people claim it was the flu jab that "caused" their PMR - I had never had one and got PMR. It might be the final straw that upset the immune system, but it wasn't alone in doing so.
constance.de EileenH
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EileenH constance.de
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It is too late to have it when you have just been exposed to the flu and expect it to protect you as it takes about 3 weeks to develop the immunity. The same applies for the shingles vaccine - it can't be used to protect you after exposure.
james_ensor joan60597
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Bert5560 joan60597
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james_ensor joan60597
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Guest joan60597
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angela43016 joan60597
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Dave-California joan60597
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Getting a flu vaccine prepares your immune system for the flu and your immune system to recognize that the virus is a threat. In the US this year there are at least three different levels of vaccine. For those over 65 a wider range version (called “trivalent” vaccines) are made to protect against three flu viruses; an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and an influenza B virus - that is supposed to be more effective. While some people may still get the flu after having a flu shot, they'll probably have a milder form of the illness because the antibodies created in response to the vaccine can still provide some protection. With PMR we need to defend our immune systems – so TAKE THE SHOT !!!
Dave
EileenH Dave-California
Posted
In the past the vaccines aimed at the over 65s in the US were higher dose - supposed to induce a better immune response but that is disputed and some experts feltl the increased risk of possible side effects was not justified by the minimal improvement in protection.
However, I assume the "over 65" version in the US currently is the quadrivalent version and it is also now available in the UK for certain groups. There is no guarantee you will be able to have it on demand from your doctor on the NHS even if you come within those groups - you will have to ask them. NICE has approved the quad one as being cost-effective - then it depends on the practice which they buy in.
Dave-California EileenH
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Yes - I guess it is "quad" for the 'oldies' - but they call it 'High Dose Trivalent' at my pharmacy - I guess it has four times the amount of antigen contained in regular trivalent flu shots.
One great thing this year is that flu shots are part of the "Wellness" section of our medical insurance and it is "FREE" ! I think this is only thing I got for free anywhere this year.
Dave
EileenH Dave-California
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I have no idea what they dish out here - really do need to get up there and say please nicely!!!
Dave-California EileenH
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EileenH Dave-California
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Dave-California EileenH
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EileenH Dave-California
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EileenH
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Dave-California EileenH
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EileenH Dave-California
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