topic Re: How many pneumonia shots did you get? in Community Chat

How many pneumonia shots did you get?

Shorty2U — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 04:48:59 GMT

Speaking of the flu topic it reminded me. Can I ask? How many pneumonia shots did you get if any? How long was it to last and does it cover all strains? Lots of strains?

I got a pneumonia shot just last year and I know the Dr said it lasts like 10 years or something.

Now they're trying to tell me I need a better one that covers "all" pneumonia strains. (So why did I get the other one to begin with?) BUT they said insurance may or may not cover it, and it costs 290 dollars!

So I told them I will check with my insurance and if its covered I will make an appt just for the shot. But sorry I wasn't about to get it and then get a bill for that much if insurance doesn't pay it!

(PS I do not get the flu shot b/c I used to be very allergic to eggs and it scares me. I outgrew it but I still limit my eggs to this day! Well this year they're bugging me saying I should try the flu shot). And they said if I do or dont get the flu shot that I should at least get the better pneumonia shot.

Anyway I was just wondering how many if any pneumonia shots people had. I think these Dr.s sometimes push unnecessary things on us adults. But of course I dont want to be sorry later, if they are right!

Re: How many pneumonia shots did you get?

foundinlv — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 04:59:56 GMT

I've never had a pneumonia shot but thinking about it. There are more than 90 strains (serotypes) of pneumococcal bacteria.

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pneumo/vac-faqs.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pneumo/default.htm

Re: How many pneumonia shots did you get?

tedEbear — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 05:05:14 GMT

Check with your pharmacy. There are many pharmacies that give shots for free or a reduced cost and they can check your insurance to see what co-pay will be. tedEbear

Re: How many pneumonia shots did you get?

Kachina624 — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 05:31:24 GMT

The first pneumonia shot did not cover all strains. They've now developed a newer one that covers most of what the first one didn't. It's called Prevnar 13. I saw my doctor today and she highly recommends it. They didn't have the vaccine but she wrote me a script and I'll get it at Walgreens.

Re: How many pneumonia shots did you get?

Tinkrbl44 — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 06:06:31 GMT

I've heard you need two of them ... to cover multiple strains .... I can't remember if they are to be administered two weeks ... or two months ... apart. (sorry)

Re: How many pneumonia shots did you get?

151949 — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 12:14:28 GMT

Re: How many pneumonia shots did you get?

June222 — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 12:22:49 GMT

none NEVER. I PERSONALLY do not believe in the Vaccine Protocol that traditional medicine pushes on the public especially the elderly. Each person needs to make that decision for themselves and not be chastised for the decision that they make.

Re: How many pneumonia shots did you get?

Stray — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 12:23:39 GMT

You have toget 2 but they are different. Previnar is the other as another poster pointed out. If you get 2 make sure what your first one was so that you get the other. Most likely, the first was not Previnar.

Re: How many pneumonia shots did you get?

shoesnbags — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 12:44:57 GMT

I originally had a pneumonia shot a couple of years ago. My primary care doctor recommended the second shot two weeks ago at my annual visit because it covers additional strains. I went ahead with it because I like knowing that I have the extra protection. Between Medicare and my supplemental insurance, I think the cost will be mostly covered. I've found that the staff at that office is very good at writing these things up so that insurance reimburses as they should.

Re: How many pneumonia shots did you get?

Burnsite — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 12:56:17 GMT

Though I usually have no difficulties with immunizations, the pneumonia shot triggered a bad reaction--just the one that was being used til recently.

So I won't be getting a second one, of any sort.

Re: How many pneumonia shots did you get?

Moonchilde — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 13:22:51 GMT

@Greenhouse wrote:
You have toget 2 but they are different. Previnar is the other as another poster pointed out. If you get 2 make sure what your first one was so that you get the other. Most likely, the first was not Previnar.

I had not had either of the pneumonia vaccines, but had one a couple of months ago. I assumed it was pneumovax and that Previnar would be offered at another time. I just learned I was given Previnar. I had been wondering if I still need the Pneumovax, but from reading this thread, I guess so.

Re: How many pneumonia shots did you get?

Baylie — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 13:42:17 GMT

My doctor told me I need to get the second shot too. A friend of mine said she had a very sore arm from that shot and I was going to help with a new grandchild so I waited. My husband is a doctor and so is hers and they both recommend it so I guess I will get that and my flu shot next week.

Re: How many pneumonia shots did you get?

Sooner — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 13:54:41 GMT

@Burnsite wrote:
Though I usually have no difficulties with immunizations, the pneumonia shot triggered a bad reaction--just the one that was being used til recently.

So I won't be getting a second one, of any sort.

Poor baby! What happened if you don't mind sharing?

Re: How many pneumonia shots did you get?

Suziepeach — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 14:55:54 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
The first pneumonia shot did not cover all strains. They've now developed a newer one that covers most of what the first one didn't. It's called Prevnar 13. I saw my doctor today and she highly recommends it. They didn't have the vaccine but she wrote me a script and I'll get it at Walgreens.

****

I had Prevnar 13 a few weeks ago, at my Kaiser.

Re: How many pneumonia shots did you get?

AnikaBrodie — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 15:11:03 GMT

Two. The first one was good for ten years. The second one is good for the rest of my life according to my doctor. I had no negative reaction to either shot.

Re: How many pneumonia shots did you get?

PamfromCT — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 15:11:08 GMT

I have had both pneumonia shots. My PCD recommended it, and at my age, it is appropriate.

Also, follow the advice of a previous poster who recommended you check out the cost of the shot administered at a drugstore clinic. I know that for the shingles vaccine it is significantly cheaper. In fact, my PCD advised us to have it at the drugstore for that very reason.

Re: How many pneumonia shots did you get?

chickenbutt — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 16:20:28 GMT

I used to get pneumonia every year. One time a doctor gave me a pneumonia shot and said it would last ten years.

That was definitely well over 20 years ago and I've never had pneumonia since.

I don't know/remember any of the particulars about the shot, however, other than that it was supposed to be good for ten years.

Re: How many pneumonia shots did you get?

cowboy sam — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 16:58:01 GMT

a few years ago i got my 2 shot..this new one don't know about iT like could it be needed also???

Re: How many pneumonia shots did you get?

Burnsite — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 17:15:35 GMT

Sooner, My arm swelled up twice its usual size, fever, rash at injection site. I looked on the internet, and when there's a bad reaction to the first shot (not typical but it does happen), people should not have a second. There is sometimes a problem with allergic reactions to the second shot even in people who had no problem with the first shot.

I think this was last year, so if it should come up again I will ask my PCP and express my concerns. There is no other shot I have ever had a bad reaction to, but I do have a lot of allergies.

Re: How many pneumonia shots did you get?

muttmom — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 17:22:10 GMT

I've had 1, Prevar 13. My insurance paid for it, but even if it had not, I still would have gotten it. My health is worth it to me.

My neighbor will spend money on expensive clothes and accessories as well as her nails and hair, yet when it comes to her health or teeth, unless insurance pays, she won't have a procedure.

Go figure?