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While at the VA Monday for a pre-colonoscopy check-in , I was pulled for a shot record update....come to find out I learned something that maybe of use for all here...
1. Did you know that Pertussis (Whooping Cough) is on an up-rise among Adults? Also, folks like us who live and/or work in the great outdoors need an up to date Tetanus/Diphtheria shot?

Well, I didn't...I had a Tetanus/Diphtheria shot 2 years ago....but, was advised to take a vaccine that included the Pertussis vaccine and that it was okay to have it now. The vaccine is called Tdap and you are good for 10 yrs. with it.

Ernie was with me and was all for me to get the Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV) for Bacterial Pneumonia telling the nurse to "give it to her!". As a former smoker, he already got his in May, and since I still smoke, I should, too. Well, since he was so willing to have me get the PPSV, I volunteered him to get the Tdap shot, saying to the nurse, "give it to him!"

Well, to make a long story short, we both rolled up our sleeves, and got our shots....I had 1 shot in each arm, but darn , Ernie had just 1 shot. Yep, they are sore, but will be fine soon....

Anyways, just wanted to pass this info on to you all....
And I still hate shots....

All good info. When I call my pharmacy I first get a recording that they can schedule people for H1N1 and/or the shingle vaccine. I have been thinking I should get the shingle shot. My X came down with shingles a few years ago and it is very painful and takes up to a year to get over. My SIL's aunt had it on her face and almost went blind!

good information, thank you,

I got a tetanus shot after Hurricane Rita when we were working in all that mess but my DH won't take one. We had a neighbor that was in her 80's die from tetanus years ago. Since we have horses I think he should take one but is hard headed. He won't take a flu shot or the pneumonia shot either. I take the flu shots so I hopefully I won't bring anything home. I am seldom ever sick but let me go somewhere. I remember going on the Natchez home tour one time and being so sick I was sitting on a curb throwing up in the gutter.

Martha

Hit the wrong button and lost my reply - what I get for eating while typing.

I'm too young (so they say) for the shingles vaccine (my Mom had it - was terrible - lasted more than a year - don't want them). I can't get the flu vaccines due to a slight allergy to eggs (go figure, I can eat eggs, but not geth the vaccine?). As to tetanus, I'm sure I'm more than overdo. Will have to look into that and the whooping cough one. Someday. I promise.

We're almost old enough, Beth..... you can get the "shingles shot" at the age of 60.... The tetanus/diphtheria/whooping cough is all in 1 shot and since those diseases are of a Public Health issues, you can probably get the shot at the Public Health Clinic for next to nothing. So I'll keep you to your promise...

Every night on our local news, they have a segment about the Whooping Cough and how important it is for adults to get the shot. They have shown a baby with this cough and it's pretty sad. And, it seems like there are more and more kids getting it. I'm concerned because of my 5 Mo. old twin grandbabies. Believe they have already had this shot so hopefully, no adult will be around them if they get this hideous cough.

I got the shingles shot late last fall because I didn't want to get it and be around the babies. My mother had it a couple of years ago and it is extremely painful. She still has a few problems from the shingles. When I got the shot it was over $200 (out of pocket) but I think it is worth it. Once you have seen someone suffer with it, you KNOW you DO NOT want to have it.

Linda

FYI, my X was 53 at the time of his shingle episode.

I'm going to have to think about these shots when I get back to the USA. Had shingles 2 years ago. Was lucky, caught it within 72 hours, had an antibiotic shot and no problems. I was really worried since I had heard all the bad stories. carold

I don't doubt that, Lenora. However, our govt in it's infinite wisdom, declared the vaccine for people 60 and older. When I asked my doctor a couple years ago - he told me I could get it when I'm 60.

And for those of you who let it give you peace of mind - it works 50 percent of the time to prevent shingles. So hope you're in the right 50%!

Some doctors offer "off-label" vaccinations to those in the 50-59 age group - but those have not been tested.

If any of you never had chicken pox - you proably aren't susceptible to shingles. I figure I had chicken pox when I was less than a year old - it should have hibernated just fine to give me shingles - fingers crossed that it doesn't. And that when I CAN get the vaccine, I'm in the 50% it works on.

For those of you allergic to eggs the TDAP has eggs in it so be careful.

Karen

Thanks, Karen - now I can't get that one either. I guess I just need to stay healthy!

Bethers wrote:Thanks, Karen - now I can't get that one either. I guess I just need to stay healthy!

Or just stay away from people. I'm in the same situation Beth. Most of the time I try to stay away from a large group of strangers and definitely from anyone coughing and sneezing. I avoid waiting on lines for anything, whatever I want to buy will be there later, or there is always online shopping.

Quetion, if you had a mild case of shingles, would you still get the vaccine? Linda

I don't know - but it's a vaccine I want to get when they will let me get the "real" one. I'm still a couple years away. That one isn't eggs.

Linda, I'm of the opposite belief - the more I'm exposed to - the healthier I stay. It's kind of like kids today with asthma - it's on the increase because they don't get the immunities we used to by playing outside, etc. Kind of like most of the vaccines are light versions of what you don't want - making your bodies natural antibodies kick in. That said, I don't go running into hospital wards with people that have major infections. But I make sure I get my vitamin C for sure - and try to eat my fruits and vegies - and wait in lines and go to places with crowds, etc. It seems to work for me. Most of the time and now knocking on wood. Oh, I also don't believe in overuse of antibacterial soaps and stuff - again, it takes away the fighting power within our own bodies. Was happy to hear that said on either Dr. Oz or the Doctors a couple weeks ago - when I still had tv stations. It, too has it's place, but we tend to overuse the stuff.

FYI - I checked with my pharmacy yesterday about getting the shingles vaccine. First you have to be 60. She then said I would need to fill out a questionaire and then they would have to check with my insurance to see if it's covered. End result. My insurance wouldn't cover it so it would be just under $200 out of pocket! She said to call my Dr's office as the insurance would probably cover it theif done there. I haven't done that yet.
Beth, I agree on the antibacterial soap issue. I can't use it as it makes the backs of my hands/wrists break out and itch.