Pneumonia and flu vaccines

I'm waiting until Oct to get my flu vaccine...doctor said around the 8th is best time to get it but who knows? Should get the pneumonia vax because it's been 10 yrs or more but....putting it off

@healthybon
NJH, Mayo and every pulmonologist I know recommends all applicable vaccines for MAC and Bronchiectasis patients, subject to suitability for their individual health profile.

As my primary doc once pointed out to me "A little cold gives you bronchitis, and you end up sick. Do you really want to risk getting the flu or pneumonia?"

So, every year, I get my recommended injections, knowing I am going to feel poorly for a few days because my immune system overreacts, but I have avoided getting the respiratory flu for over 10 years, and I haven't had pneumonia since I got treated for MAC and started getting the vaccine as recommended, in spite of being out and about in the community.

thks sue do you go to your primary for the vacines?

This journey started for me on a year that I did not get the flu vaccine. I came down with the flu in the late spring and then I developed a terrible case of pneumonia that was resistant to 2 antibiotics and was I ended up being sick for 4 months before I started feeling better. I was diagnosed with mac early the next year.

Since then, I never miss the flu, covid or (this year) RSV) vaccines. I’ve also gotten the pneumonia and shingles ones since then. Hoping to stay well again this winter!

I have yet to get the pneumonia vaccine and know I should but I thought it was just a one time vaccine? I feel it is important to space out the vaccines from each other even though they tell you otherwise. So how to prioritize them? COVID is at the top of my list and that should be available soon. And can anyone explain what RSV is.

I get the flu vaccine every October. I got the pneumonia vaccine in July of this year. My Pulmonologist didn’t give it bc he said I am under 65 and it would be expensive. My PCP highly recommended it and said bc I have bronchiectasis my insurance would cover it. She was right! Other than a sore arm I had no side effects. Situations like this remind me why having a team of doctors is important!

Thks Susan

I got the pneumonia vaccine years ago and I ALWAYS get my flu shot annually. Not worth taking a risk.

I shudder to think what would happen to me if there were no such thing as pneumonia and flu shots!
I too have had them all, as well as the Shingles shot.
Getting them spread out, not all at once, is helpful...keeps the immune system from going off into a crazy spiral!
Tomorrow I am going to the doctors to discuss this seasons schedule!
"An ounce of prevention, is worth a pound of cure"!

I’m like Sue and get all the recommended vaccines. I also prefer to space them a week or two apart.
RSV is respiratory syncytial virus which has cold like symptoms and is very common-most children have it by preschool. For most, it’s not a big problem, but it can cause serious illness in young children and high risk adults. My sister-in-law had RSV and the flu at the same time and ended up in ICU on a ventilator. She was high risk.
The vaccine was approved this year.