VACCINES

CFCATS

New Member

Joined : Oct 2006

Posts : 1

Posted 10/17/2006 12:36 AM (GMT 0)

HAS ANYONE HEARD IF IT IS NOT ADVISABLE TO GET EITHER PNEUMONIA OR FLU VACCINES? I WORK IN HEALTH CARE AND AM EXPOSED TO ALOT OF BUGS

rhondab

Veteran Member

Joined : Mar 2006

Posts : 2146

Posted 10/17/2006 12:41 AM (GMT 0)

Hey CFCATS

Welcome to the board! I've asked that same question since ms is a disfunction of the immune system. I'm not dx'd, but try to react to things like this as if i were just in case! The answer i got was it's fine. I usually get the flu shot and have been told to continue that. I'm sure more will be along to give u their info on this as well. I'm glad u found the site and hope to see more of u!

rhonda

TiaJoy

Regular Member

Joined : Sep 2006

Posts : 59

Posted 10/17/2006 8:38 AM (GMT 0)

I'm sorry, i'm not sure if you mean because of the ms itself or because of the medication? i just started avonex and was asking my case manager about vaccines and other meds. clinical trails indicated that it was okay but I was advised to consult my doctor to make sure. that was just today so i haven't called him yet. And I think I read somewhere that if you are high risk for exposure to flu, etc that you should get the vaccine. benifits outweigh the risks. but again, check with your doctor.

uppitycats

Veteran Member

Joined : Jun 2005

Posts : 2135

Posted 10/17/2006 11:24 AM (GMT 0)

Yes, it is quite OK to get the flu and pneumonia shots, and is in fact recommended by, for example, the National Sclerosis Society (you can go to their web page and do a "search" and find the documentation for this.) Generally folks with MS are considered to be in the "high risk" categories if there is some shortage, and where you already work in health care and could pass it along to other very sick people, it is even more crucial for you to get both shots. (The pneumonia shot, I think is not needed annually -- once every 10 years, perhaps?)

whtedragons78

Regular Member

Joined : Jun 2006

Posts : 74

Posted 10/17/2006 9:51 PM (GMT 0)

I asked my new neuro today if i should get the flu and pneumonia shot this season. I know the phneumonia one isnt done every yr. He said usually yes, but decided that since i am starting my copaxone injections today for us to skip it this year. Stated that we dont want to mistake sideeffects for the flu shot and vice versa.

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