Pneumovax for my kids?

[stacey05]

Hi. I was wondering if anyone knows anything about the pneumovax23 vaccine? I am pretty much a non vaxer now, but I have been thinking of this one. I have read about the swine flu and that bacterial infections have been linked to deaths in people with the swine flu. I was wondering if I should get this vaccine for my kids? My youngest is a little over 2yrs and is completely unvaccinated, still bf and very healthy...has a runny nose right now, though. My 8yo had two doses of prevnar, hib, but stopped after a reaction at 4 months. He might be getting over swine flu right now...high fever, cough, sore throat, aches, runny nose, loss of appetite. This is his first day without a fever and he is more active. My other 3 are 11, 14 and 17. They, of course, did not have prevnar and have never had the pneumonia vax. I just read several places that the pneumovax is pretty safe and will help lessen the chance of getting the secondary pnemonia infections associated with swine flu. I am not comfortable with getting the swine flu vax, though....too new for me. Any thoughts on getting the pnuemovax?

[stacey05]

I forgot to mention that I just found out I am pregnant...5 weeks. Should I get the pneumovax if the kids do? I would never consider a vaccine during pregnancy, but it seems the swine flu is hitting pregnant women harder and I don't want the swine flu vaccine. Thank you for your time.

[FernG]

What specific strain of bacteria or virus is causing the pneumonia deaths in flu patients? Does is vary by age, pregnancy status, and geographic location? If the secondary pneumonia infections resulting from the flu are not caused by strains covered by pneumovax23, then the vaccine will not be effective in your personal situation.

Remember, pneumonia is a condition like a broken leg with many, many causes. You can never vaccinate against pneumonia - you can vaccinate against only a few of the strains of bacteria that may cause pneumonia.

[amnesiac]

Please remember to remain on topic regarding Pneumovax in this thread. Any H1N1 specific discussion should be continued in H&H if it is disease related or in an existing thread per our forum announcement if it is vaccine related.

[DaughterOfKali]

I was pretty against vaxing until I found out that ds have an Immune Deficiency.
He gets ill very easily and it escalates quickly. Because of that, I had him get the Pneumovax.
(If he didn't have any health issues (autism spectrum) and was otherwise completely healthy, I probably wouldn't have gone through with it.

[stacey05]

<I was pretty against vaxing until I found out that ds have an Immune Deficiency.
He gets ill very easily and it escalates quickly. Because of that, I had him get the Pneumovax.
(If he didn't have any health issues (autism spectrum) and was otherwise completely healthy, I probably wouldn't have gone through with it. >

How old is your ds? Did he have any side effects from the pneumovax? Thanks!

[DaughterOfKali]

Originally Posted by stacey05

How old is your ds? Did he have any side effects from the pneumovax? Thanks!

He's 6. No side effects at all. Wasn't even sore afterwards.