Can’t Get Pneumonia Vaccine!

My doctor wont do it either, because I have hmo and the hmo will not cover the expense. However, if I could afford to go to any walk in clinic and pay cash ($60 for the visit + the cost of the vaccination x the number of members in my household = hundreds of $$$) then I could get it.

Call the walk-in clinics in your area. If you are paying cash, they probably wont deny you the shot.

Hi Hope-

I am new but I've been reading for a while now. I took the advice on this forum and went to my Dr. to request the pneumonia vaccine. She right away asked me why and that is was for only 65 and older with pre-existing conditions. I am only 36 so I just had to make stuff up. I know that isn't the right thing to do but there was NO WAY I was going to tell her it was for the bird flu. I told her I was going to take care of my dad in the hospital with pneumonia going around and I always get bronchitis this time of year etc. etc. etc. and it worked! She gave it to me. I think she was not buying it all the way but the end result was that I got it! Please try the walk-in clinics as that was going to be my next option. Good luck and let us know what happens!

Thanks, this is really helpful info. I'm taking my family to the local health clinic this week for both. When I told the gal on the phone we also wanted a pneumonia vaccine she said, "Uh, you'll have to talk to the nurse about that."

I think I'll bring lots of cash, tell her we're stopping off to see grandpa in Oklahoma who's sick with pneumonia on our way to a Hong Kong trip and boy, I hope the kids' asthma doesn't act up like it has been lately. (They have no records.) Now about that vaccine... 

Northern Mamma

Any Uk citizens please advice if you have had one.

I personally havent.

This is because as my wife is expecting ( and i believe it is not recommened for pregnant women ) i cannot protect myself and not my wife, personal choise - down we go together..

Also to get anything from the health service is a nightmare

This was posted somewhere else, but thought that I would post again since I believe that it is a different thread.

"Most people died in 1918 either from right heart failure (due to the heart trying to push blood through very congested lungs), respiratory failure (the muscles involved in breathing just gave out from exhaustion), or secondary bacterial pneumonia (the cells with the cilia that normally prevents bacteria from getting into the lungs were destroyed by the virus)" Anonymous Doctor

Today: Almost all patients developed pneumonia with the Bird Flu. During the Hong Kong outbreak, all severely ill patients had primary viral pneumonia, which did not respond to antibiotics. Limited data on patients in the current outbreak indicate the presence of a primary viral pneumonia in H5N1, usually without microbiological evidence of bacterial supra-infection at presentation. Turkish clinicians have also reported pneumonia as a consistent feature in severe cases; as elsewhere, these patients did not respond to treatment with antibiotics.

And:

Is there a vaccine for Viral Pneumonia?

The simple answer is no, however, the bacterial pneumonia vaccine may protect against viral cases (http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2004-07-11-vaccine_x.htm ) This shot most likely will help. Remember this flu's side effects are reported in this order of complication:       

1. Primary viral pneumonia (this is the most deadly complication of the Avian Flu)
2. Secondary bacterial pneumonia (this is what the vaccination is for, however it can help against the viral also)
3. Bacterial sinusitis
4. Myositis
5. Myocarditis / pericarditis
6. Guillian-Barre syndrome
7. Reye's Syndrome

Children under 2 can not get the Pneumococcal vaccination due to their bodies do not react to it. You may also have to get your older children's shots scheduled at the community health agency, due to their age. Some states will not permit the doctors to write a script or vaccinate in their offices anymore. Young children get RSV easily, so keep them away from the sick. The pneumonia vaccine is generally given once, although revaccination after 3-5 years should be considered for children with nephrotic syndrome, asplenia, or sickle cell anemia who would be less than 11 years old at revaccination. Revaccination should also be considered for high-risk adults who received their first shot six years ago or more, and for those who are shown to have rapid decline in pneumococcal antibody levels.

Notes: The major types of pneumonia are bacterial pneumonia, viral pneumonia, and mycoplasma pneumonia.

Best tips for both viral and bacterial pneumonia:

• Drink warm fluids to relieve coughing.
• Use an ultrasonic humidifier in your bedroom to add moisture to the air. (Ultrasonic humidifiers kill bacteria and molds in the water.)
• Rest.
• Don't rush your recovery. It can takes weeks to get your full strength back.
• Don't smoke.
• Treatment: Early treatment with antibiotics can cure bacterial pneumonia and speed recovery from mycoplasma pneumonia. There are generally no effective treatments for most types of viral pneumonia, which usually heal on their own.

I think I'm going to get one.  I made an appointment for a physical, and mentioned I want a pneumonia vaccine while I'm there.  I told them I have had pneumonia twice, which is true, and they just said oh, ok, like it was no big deal.  The appointment isn't for about a month, I'll just have to hope it really is no big deal.  I'm only 45, so I don't qualify by age.  If I get resistance, I'll tell them both my parents have health issues, and I can't risk getting them sick if I am over at their house....