Got my flu shot and pnumonia shot

[I_UndergroundPanther]

Already my arm is starting to ache. My pnumonia shot starting to feel like a bag of buckshot in my arm. It hurt like this 5 years ago.

Dammit.

But I am glad it's done and I will be protected because of it.

Hey, y'all don't forget to get poked.

[helpisontheway]

1. I think someone here said it was better to wait until mid September for

the flu shot. So I will wait until then. I got my pneumonia shot last year.

[magicarpet]

11. More info too early for flu shot....

The CDC says August is still just a bit too soon.

Claire Gillespie
August 17, 2020

We might not be able to prevent COVID-19 just yet, but we do have an effective vaccine against another deadly illness: influenza. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone age six months and older should get the flu shot every year, with the rare exception of people who have severe, life-threatening allergies to the flu vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine.


In the US, flu season occurs in the fall and winter. Although influenza viruses spread throughout the entire year, the CDC says flu activity typically peaks between December and February, but can persist until May. 

Thanks to the coronavirus, infectious disease is at the forefront of most people’s minds right now. And as flu shots start becoming available, should we be putting it at the top of your to-do list right now?

The general consensus, according to the CDC and infectious diseases experts, is that you should wait it out until at least September or October to get your annual flu shot. The CDC specifically points out that "getting vaccinated in July or August is too early, especially for older people, because of the likelihood of reduced protection against flu infection later in the flu season," adding that September or October are "good times to get vaccinated." (Though, it should be noted that if you miss that fall deadline, you can—and should—still get the flu vaccination later in the season).

https://www.health.com/condition/cold-flu-sinus/can-you-get-the-flu-shot-too-early

[LisaM]

2. Get your shingles shot, too.

I didn't and I got shingles!!! Don't get shingles. Especially on your face.

[sheshe2]

16. My doctor prescribed my shingles shot last June.

I was told there was a waiting list and it would be six months before I would see one. Asked again in December and I was told possibly March. Asked in April when I might get it and was told because of Covid they don’t have any.

[LisaM]

18. Really? Our local Walgreens has them.

I've been trying to get everyone to get them, and people have been able to get them at their pharmacies.

[sheshe2]

19. I use CVS.

[tableturner]

24. Publix, too.

[magicarpet]

3. There are two different pneumonia shots,..

... one for 13 strains and the other for 23 strains. You should get them both, but one year apart.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

4. Got the 23 strains one

Just popped a Tylenol..
Even typing on my phone hurts.lol. laying on the couch,with Othello. Got pillows stacked up so only my lower arm moves..

[magicarpet]

6. The two Pneumonia shots more details,...

PCV13

+

PPSV23

These two shots should offer lifetime protection, on rare occasion one would require a booster, discuss with your doctor.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

15. Got the 13 one like 4-5 years ago.

[woodsprite]

22. Does it matter which one you get first? nt

[magicarpet]

28. No, either the 13 or 23 it makes no difference which,..

... is first. Just remember to get both. Medicare pays for it no copay/ no deductible.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

8. Got the 23 strains one

Just popped a Tylenol..
Even typing on my phone hurts.lol. laying on the couch,with Othello. Got pillows stacked up so only my lower arm moves.. Othello is laying next to my arm purring his little heart out. Hopefully the ultrasound inside cat purring offers relief. I know when I broke my elbow my cats surrounded it and purred,the doctor was impressed about how fast it healed,then he was surprised I could fully extend my arm. He told me he thought my arm wouldn't fully extend that the joint may be frozen due to where the break was . Thanks to my kitties. Cats are wonderful.

[BigmanPigman]

5. I got the Shingles vaccine last March when Covid alarmed me.

You need to get two, 6 months apart. My arm hurt for a week, worse than any other shot but I'd rather have that than Shingles.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

10. I'll look into the shingles shot

I was told to wait until I got older. I'm 54 now, I was told to wait like 2 years ago. And I wonder if it's safe, for me because I got nerve damage in my spine and some freaking huge bone spurs on my cervical spine from a car accident,I was a pedestrian. Car didn't have headlights on so I never saw it.. and I had chickenpox as a kid.

[LisaM]

12. It does affect your nerves.

Definitely check with the doctor. But you can get.them after 50
L, I think.

[BigmanPigman]

13. Do it now!

Why wait? They even have them at CVS. Speak to anyone who had Shingles and I bet you will be getting a vaccine before you know it (horrible experience to say the least). I had Chicken Pox in my 30s but you can still get Shingles. I would ask my doctor if it is OK.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

14. I'll call her up tommorrow

Might wait a week or so just got two vaccines today want those to get kicked in before I get another. Let my body tackle the shots I just got first.

[dixiechiken1]

25. I'm not 100% sure...

But I think the shingles vaccine is only good for something like 5 years. There are two different vaccines, Zostavax and Shingrix. Shingrix is newer and is actually two shots given 6+ months apart. I believe if you got the Zostavax vaccination, you can get Shingrix if it's been more than 5 years since.

What I don't know, and can't seem to find any info on, is whether you can keep getting booster shots - of either vaccine - every 5 years. Also, while I think they say you can get shingles vaccine after 50 years of age, they recommend it after 60.

I've been looking into the vaccination because my mom just had shingles. We were lucky and caught it early. It still scared the crap outta me because, as others here have said, it was so painful. Thought I might get vaccinated but if it's a "one time only" vaccination, then I think I'll wait a few years. (I'm 56.)

I'd be interested if anyone knows more about the recommended frequency of the shingles vaccine(s)...?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

27. Check your insurance. The benefit may require you to be a certain age before they'll pay.

I got the old shingles shot long ago. Then, when Shingrix hit the market, I got that. Fortunately, my Medicare Part D covered the cost of the two shots, because I think they're almost $200 per dose if not covered.

My old shot cost me a bit of money, in my pre-Medicare days. The employer group coverage wasn't as good.

[monmouth4]

29. I just turned 80 in July, had the shingles last November and didn't start to feel very much better

around March. It is the worse disease I ever had, and I've had them all. Blood blisters from my navel to the middle of my spine. The pain was unforgiving and deep. Get the shot so you can avoid all of this. Definitely worth it.

[smirkymonkey]

26. I also got my Shingles shots last fall, before Covid.

I had my annual physical and my doctor offered so I took her up on it. It is the newer version, like yours. Where you take 2 shots, 6 months apart. My arm was sore, but it was a small price to pay. I have heard that shingles is something you never want to deal with in your life.

I was exposed to all my siblings who had chicken pox as a child, but never really came down with a full-fledged case. I had a few itchy bumps and that was it. Nothing major, so I don't know if I really had it or not. Anyway, hope I will be protected from shingles for a while. Sounds like a nightmare!

[Frustratedlady]

7. I got mine Monday. I usually wait until cold weather (Sept. or Oct.), but went for it.

The site isn't sore, at all, but I can only raise my arm even with my shoulder. That's a first. The muscles are sore down to my elbow.

Suddenly, the positive COVID tests are rising in our county. We still have 2 deaths, but the positives are in the 15+%, all of a sudden. So, I'm glad I went ahead and got the shot. I got the heavier dose. Hope it doesn't let me down. I've already had the pneumonia shot and subsequent follow-up, so that's in place.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

9. Good👍

[GopherGal]

17. I usually get a free flu shot through work.

They usually offer them sometime around the last week in September through about mid-October. But since I'm now 100% WFH, I'll have to consider other sources in a month or so. (It would be too ironic for my workplace to banish us non-essentials to remote work, only to welcome us back to get flu shots.)

[woodsprite]

20. When I got the pneumonia shot last year,

It made my arm flame red, swollen, and between my shoulder and my elbow. It took 8 days for the redness and itch to go away, about 5 for the swelling.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

21. When I got the 13 strain shot

It felt exactly like what you went through. Hurts like a fucking train wreck doesn't it?

I'm hoping this 23 strain one won't hurt like that again.

[woodsprite]

23. I'll have to ask my Dr which one it was.

I thought it was the 23, but it was also the first time I had ever had a pneumonia shot.

[Zorro]

30. I got my flu shot and pneumonia shot together last year

They knocked me down for about a week. Be prepared for a lot of bed rest.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

31. I got flu and pnumonia yesterday

This morning woke up feeling like shit,sore achey.

Now since I have been up it's better. My arm still needs to be supported. Took my big Motrin today and two Tylenol. Kills pain really well learned about this from a nurse in Canada.