Flu Shot

[katygal]

Hello everyone! This is my first post since my husband was diagnosed with ALS in January 2018. I have read many threads and your posts have been so helpful.

I have a question about flu shots. My husband is only 59 but realized yesterday that there are "stronger" flu shots for people over 65. Is it worth getting the 65+ shot since his pulmonary system is compromised? Has anyone had that discussion with their pulmonologist?

Thanks so much for any shared thoughts.

katygal

 

[Atsugi]

Both the ALS Association and WebMd specifically advise ALS patients to get a flu shot, preferably before or during October.


Exception: Don't get the shot if you're allergic to eggs. Talk to your doc.


KATY, see the doc. Everything I'm reading says that people who are compromised should definitely get the shot, to protect them against the virus.



The vaccine takes about 2 weeks to make antibodies in your blood. There are different vaccines for little kids, over-65s, and everybody else. Every year, they make a new batch because the virus changes. The CDC assures us that the vaccine itself cannot cause the flu.

 

[Nikki J]

I asked last year about this ( neuro not pulmo because I don’t have one) and was told to get the regular under 65 vaccine. The reasoning was the stronger one is designed for people who immune system is less strong due to age. There is no reason to think my immune system is compromised as I have no comorbidities. The high dose has more antigen so if you have a normal immune system I think side effects would be more likely. Shingrix, the new zoster vaccine, is reported to have worse and more frequent side effects in the younger age group receiving it. It also has high antigen dosing.

Do ask because everyone is different and doctors have different opinions

 

[KarenNWendyn]

I agree with Nikki about the flu shot.

I also think it’s a good idea to get the new shingles vaccine (comes as a series of two injections) if you didn’t have the previous shingles vaccine.

I also recommend a pneumococcal vaccine. Though we are not immunocompromised, we are more at risk for pneumonia and for complications due to our compromised breathing and coughing. There are two vaccines — Prevnar 13 (newer, PCV 13) and Pneumovax (older, PPSV23).

Here are the guidelines;

Adults 19 to <65 years with specified underlying medical conditions (such as ALS/ MND): IM: 0.5 mL as a single dose

Note: Which vaccines are indicated (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine [PCV 13] and/or pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine [PPSV23]) is dependent on previous pneumococcal vaccination history.

Pneumococcal vaccine-naive or vaccination status unknown: Administer PCV13 followed by PPSV23 at least 8 weeks later

Previously received PPSV23 but not PCV13: Administer PCV13 ≥1 year after the PPSV23 dose

Previously received PCV13 but not PPSV23: No additional PCV 13 doses are needed

Revaccination: Administration of additional doses is not recommended for adults.

Adults ≥65 years: IM: 0.5 mL as a single dose

Note: All patients 65 and older should receive both pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) (ACIP [Kobayashi 2015]; CDC/ACIP [Tomczyk 2014]):

Pneumococcal vaccine-naive or vaccination status unknown: Administer PCV13 followed by PPSV23 ≥1 year later (minimum interval of 8 weeks for certain high-risk groups)

Previously received PPSV23 (at age ≥65 years) but not PCV13: Administer PCV13 ≥1 year after the last dose of PPSV23

Previously received PPSV23 (at age <65 years) but not PCV13: Administer PCV13 ≥1 year after the last dose of PPSV23; administer PPSV23 ≥1 year later (minimum interval of 8 weeks for certain high-risk groups) and at least 5 years after the last PPSV23 dose

Previously received PCV13: No additional PCV13 doses are needed

 

[MarieLaure]

Hello
My two cents : it is a good idea for Cals to get the flu shot too. We can’t afford to be ill or to transmit a virus!

 

[Atsugi]

You guys forgot one, I think.


My wife always told me I needed a "distemper" shot.

 

[Nikki J]

Oh Mike!

Everyone Even if you had zostavax discuss shingrix with your doctor as it is more effective and long lasting. Depending on age and length of time from zostavax as well as your doctor’s philosophy they may well recommend shingrix. The guidelines only say don’t have it within 2 months of zostavax though the studies looked at 5 years. Shingles is not something PALS or CALS need to deal with. My mother who had had zostavax had several bouts of shingles in her last couple of years. All were mild which I attributed to the zostavax helping somewhat. Still it was one more thing she had to bear along with ALS/ FTD