General Medical issues thread

[TheRealTMA]

Checking my online immunisation records today (no Covid vax since May 22 - no longer a believer) I notice a heading 'Next NIP immunisation due' on my recent birth date. Under is listed 'Pneumococcal vaccines'. Any medicos care to comment about exactly what this is for and how it might differ to the influenza vax. Something us old farts need to consider?

This should explain - Fact sheets - Pneumococcal disease fact sheet

 

[Quickstatus]

'Pneumococcal

is not the same as

influenza

- its a different germ -Streptococcus pneumoniae)

old farts

There appears to be an increase in invasive pneumococcal disease. It causes pneumonia, meningitis, blood sepsis especially in "old farts" and the very young.
See this fact sheet. Immunsation have reduced Invasive pneumococcal disease, however there has been a surge in the last year or so of invasive pneumococcal possibly from evolving strains, antibiotics resistance, vaccination fatique.

Old farts should get it

 

[drron]

The pneumococcus is a Bacteria. Causes pneumonia. Yes you should have it.
Influenza is a viral infection and you should also have that.
Both are more common and serious if elderly or immunocompromised.

 

[prozac]

Old farts should get it

Yes you should have it.
Influenza is a viral infection and you should also have that.

Thank you both. I read up on each but sought to get your aditional take as it is also helpful for other AFFers.
Back to hospital next week for another angiogram. Last December my cardio thought when he ballooned stents in the circumflex and marginal arteries it might be good for 9 or so yrs. I did have my doubts at the time. Just hoping I don't pick up one of these whilst I am there.

Edit: As MrsP is not allowed to drive now I have checked the bus timetable. In order to arrive at NBH at the nominated 7am I need to catch a bus at 0553. It will take an hour for what is a 10m car ride

 

[Pushka]

The pneumococcus is a Bacteria. Causes pneumonia. Yes you should have it.
Influenza is a viral infection and you should also have that.
Both are more common and serious if elderly or immunocompromised.

Is one of those, the ones for 70 pluses, a live vaccine?

 

[Quickstatus]

Is one of those, the ones for 70 pluses, a live vaccine?

No pneumococcal vax are live
There are 2 funded by YourGov: The 13 Valent and the 23 Valent
The 13V one is the one for Nonindigenous >70 and the 23V is for indigenous >50. Why not just one type ? I don't know - possibly cost?

The 13V is a conjugate meaning that a little bit of the polysaccharide bits of cell wall is bound to a carrier protein

The 23V is a polysaccharide meaning just a little bit of polysaccharide Components of the cell wall not conjugated to anything.

Nothing special between conjugate or polysaccharide as far as I know - it's just how it's made.

 

[drron]

No neither is live. There is a partially live flu vaccine for intranasal use.
And @prozac I also will not have an MRNA Covid vaccine.

 

[Pushka]

No pneumococcal vax are live
There are 2 funded by YourGov: The 13 Valent and the 23 Valent
The 13V one is the one for Nonindigenous >70 and the 23V is for indigenous >50. Why not just one type ? I don't know - possibly cost?

The 13V is a conjugate meaning that a little bit of the polysaccharide bits of cell wall is bound to a carrier protein

The 23V is a polysaccharide meaning just a little bit of polysaccharide Components of the cell wall not conjugated to anything.

Nothing special between conjugate or polysaccharide as far as I know - it's just how it's made.

No neither is live. There is a partially live flu vaccine for intranasal use.
And @prozac I also will not have an MRNA Covid vaccine.

Thanks. Good to know. I'm done with Covid shots too. Relented in March pre Japan. Wished I hadn't.

 

[tgh]

I also will not have an MRNA Covid vaccine

Why ?

Gp strongly recommends and I have no reaction at all….

 

[prozac]

No neither is live. There is a partially live flu vaccine for intranasal use.
And @prozac I also will not have an MRNA Covid vaccine.

I have not had any boosters since May 2022. I still have a strong feeling the MRNA vaccine might have been the cause of the aggressive cancer I had in my chest. Yes, I know I have canvassed the idea I might have carried the follicular cancer for decades, but the DLBCL I had in my chest was suggested to be mutated follicular lymphoma cells.
Speaking of which I am coming up to two years treatment for the follicular lymphoma and tomorrow I have my final rituximab infusion. Yippee!

 

[Quickstatus]

Why ?

See Immunisation handbook

But here is the screenshot of the important bit which is the 2 boxes

They are sorting out the recommendations and I think "emergency measures" no longer exists so any Covid vaccine should be approved using the usual mechanisms - they are not yet approved in this way AfAIK

 

[Pushka]

I have no reaction at all….

And therein lies the difference. It is now known that in some, in can create significant inflammation issues and recurrence of chronic auto immune illnesses.