Question: about pneumonia vaccine

[musette_sf]

My husband is now bugging me to get the pneumonia vaccine. I'm 66 with no health disorders and on no prescription medicines. Also, no symptoms of COVID 19.

I have been self-isolating out of heightened prudence since I returned from a business trip two weeks ago, and I now have 14 clear days of no outside contact.

I live in the SF Bay Area.

Obviously I have to go out to get the vaccine. I am not inclined to get near any healthcare facility in the area at this point. About the only alternative I can think of is to call CVS, ask if they have vaccine and personnel to administer, and ask if I can come there, call from my car, and ask them to call me as soon as I can go in and be seen right away. I have a mask and I have nitrile gloves.

Is it worth the risk to get the vaccine given all of the above?

Thanks in advance.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. The pneumonia vaccine won't help you with the virus, but

it could prevent a secondary bacterial infection which could make the situation much worse. It's worth checking to see if your pharmacy would accommodate your request, or at least you could make an appointment for a time when there won't be many customers. Maybe you could check with your doctor to see what he/she thinks?

[musette_sf]

4. Thanks,

my doctor said that she understood that I would not want to come to the clinic at this time, and suggested that I could go to CVS. So it looks like that's my best bet.

[geomon666]

2. Seems weird to randomly ask you to go get it

Did he give you a reason?

[musette_sf]

5. He's a worrier

[pnwmom]

10. It's recommended for ALL people 65 and over, and the more serious cases of COVID-19

are often complicated by a bacterial pneumonia.

[geomon666]

12. I understand that

but it seems like an unnecessary risk. Especially if you live in a major infected city.

[pnwmom]

14. We actually asked our doctor about it this week, and she thought it was a good idea

even though we live in an outbreak area. But my husband would be getting it at a pharmacy, and he'd call ahead to see when would be a good time.

[MoonlitKnight]

16. It's actually a pneumonia caused by covid-19

Not the bacterial one that often comes as an add on to a bad cold or flu.

Everyone over 65 or in a high risk group should have it. But I think the risk of covid-19 currently outweighs the benefit of getting the vaccine. But your doctor knows best.

[magicarpet]

3. Your plan sounds good,...

There are two different pneumonia vaccines you know. P-13 and P-23.

[musette_sf]

6. Thanks,

I've never had the vaccine before, so I'd get the P-13 at this time.

[magicarpet]

15. Fully reimbursed by Medicare,...

You get one now (P-13), then Medicare wants you to wait a year then P-23.

Make sure you get the two stage Shingles shot too.

[Laffy Kat]

7. Get it. nt

[librechik]

8. the pneumonia vaccine series is for bacterial pneumonia and is very effective. However

Covid 19 is a viral disease and produces its own type of pneumonia, which is not stopped by the Pneumonia vaccine. However, if you wind up in a hospital, the Prevnar will protect you from random infections and pneumonia called nosocomial infections. I an very glad I finished that series a few weeks ago anyway, even though NO ONE has any immunity fro this novel virus. Good luck!

[Sunriser13]

9. Maybe not a bad idea ultimately,

but somewhere in the morass of information I believe I read that the pneumonia vaccine won't protect you from the type of pneumonia this virus can cause.

In your position I would call my doctor and find out if the exposure risk is worth it to you at this time...

[pnwmom]

11. It won't protect you from any virus but it will protect against a secondary bacterial infection

if you have a weakened immune system due to a virus.

[Sunriser13]

17. Thank you

By the time I had typed my post, you had posted with the proper (and more complete) information and blew me out of the water!

We all appreciate your informational posts when there is so much misinformation out there. Thanks again!

[pnwmom]

18. You're very welcome, Sunriser13. And thank you for your kind words.

And this is a little late, but welcome to D.U.!

[Sunriser13]

19. Oh, I've been here forever, I've just been... quiet

But thanks for the welcome! It's always nice to be welcomed to a place you love so much!

[pnwmom]

20. Some of my favorite people are quiet people.

I'm glad you've decided to join the conversation here.

[PoliticAverse]

13. Isolation steps you are taking to protect yourself from COVID-19 are also likely to protect

you from pneumonia.

[procon]

21. I got my pneumonia shot as I have a few too many

underlying respiratory ailments. My primary care doc recommended it, and you should ask your own doctor about all your concerns via a phone consultation so you need not go face to face.

I did fine for several years, but last year I got both pneumonia and the flu despite being vaccinated for both. I was hospitalized for four days in quarantine because of the flu being so contagious. I did not feel all that sick, no fever. chills or body aches, just very tired and more hard to breathe than usual.

The vaccines helped me by fighting off the worst symptoms even though neither were designed to prevent the particular strains that hit me. Without out that assist I would have been very ill and it could have ended much differently for me.

If your doc agrees that you would benefit by getting vaccinated, then do so as soon as possible. It could save your life.