Hi Nancy-
The stronger version, at least here in the U.S., is not just for those over aged 65. It is recommended for any person who has a serious medical condition that affects immune status. Myeloma patients should ask for the stronger, double-strength vaccine.
My Quebecois husband and I will get our shots next week. Him stronger, me standard.
rick
Forums
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rick - Name: rick
- Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: nov 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 50
Re: Canada & multiple myeloma
Hi Rick,
That is a good idea to ask about the stronger version of the flu shot if one is a myeloma patient. I didn't ask since I am already a senior, but probably one's family doctor or oncologist could help with that, or the nurses at the clinic could check on it. The flu shot is provided free of charge here and the government would like everyone possible to get it. There are other versions for people with allergies to the adjuvant, and the nurses ask about that too. I think that there is also a 'mist' version available for young children here. If everyone in a a household is protected from flu, then it is less likely that those who are immune compromised may get flu.
That is a good idea to ask about the stronger version of the flu shot if one is a myeloma patient. I didn't ask since I am already a senior, but probably one's family doctor or oncologist could help with that, or the nurses at the clinic could check on it. The flu shot is provided free of charge here and the government would like everyone possible to get it. There are other versions for people with allergies to the adjuvant, and the nurses ask about that too. I think that there is also a 'mist' version available for young children here. If everyone in a a household is protected from flu, then it is less likely that those who are immune compromised may get flu.
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Canada & multiple myeloma
Nancy Shamanna wrote:
There are two different shots:
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) - My doctor wrote a prescription and I got the shot at Shoppers last spring. The cost was $120. The alternative was to buy the vaccine and return to the doctor for the shot.
Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) - I got this shot in my doctors office in 2006. He keeps a supply on hand and there is no charge. I'm waiting until the spring to get this vaccine again. From my reading, it seemed best to have a year's gap between two different vaccine shots.
The pneumococcal shot is available for those over aged 65 and also immunocompromised patients.
There are two different shots:
Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) - My doctor wrote a prescription and I got the shot at Shoppers last spring. The cost was $120. The alternative was to buy the vaccine and return to the doctor for the shot.
Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23) - I got this shot in my doctors office in 2006. He keeps a supply on hand and there is no charge. I'm waiting until the spring to get this vaccine again. From my reading, it seemed best to have a year's gap between two different vaccine shots.
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cdnirene - Name: Irene S
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 66
Re: Canada & multiple myeloma
That is interesting, Irene! I also had the Pneumo 23 pneumococcus vaccine in 2009. I had other shots in 2011 and 2012, and don't need another one until 2017. A public health nurse looked this up for me when I got the flu shot yesterday. She told me that there are two different types of pneumonia shots also, and I think I have had both types. I didn't pay for any of these vaccines and I would think that is a difference between our provincial health plans in Manitoba and Alberta.
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Canada & multiple myeloma
I think you have to pay $19-20 for the flu shot in British Columbia, but nothing here in Ontario.
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Little Monkey - Name: Little Monkey
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Father-stage 1 multiple myeloma
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March/April of 2015
Re: Canada & multiple myeloma
Nancy, you may not have had both pneumonia shots. Prevnar® 13 (pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine) was only approved for adults by Health Canada in August 2015.
Here is some information from a related press release:
Prevnar 13 Now Approved In Canada For The Prevention of Vaccine-Type Penumococcal Pneumonia In Adults 18 Years Of Age And Older
Health Canada Approves Expanded Indication for Prevnar 13
Kirkland, Quebec (August 5, 2015) – Prevnar® 13 (pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine) has received Health Canada’s approval for active immunization of adults 18 years of age and older for the prevention of pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F.
“Pneumococcal pneumonia is a leading cause of hospitalization and can pose a serious health risk – particularly to older adults and those who are vulnerable to this infection,” says Dr. Vivien Brown, Family Physician, University of Toronto, and Board Member of Immunize Canada. “The approval of this new indication for Prevnar 13 in Canada is great news for adults seeking added protection from this debilitating and potentially deadly disease.”
Health Canada’s approval of Prevnar 13’s expanded indication is based on Pfizer’s Community-Acquired Pneumonia Immunization Trial in Adults (CAPiTA), which evaluated the efficacy of immunization with Prevnar 13 to prevent a first episode of vaccine-type pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in adults aged 65 and older.
Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as pneumococcus, is the most common bacterial cause of community-acquired pneumonia, and a major cause of illness and death worldwide. Pneumococcal pneumonia is considered non-invasive when bacteria cause infection in the lungs but are not detected in the blood concurrently, or invasive when bacteria also enter the bloodstream or another normally sterile site in the body. For every one case of invasive pneumococcal pneumonia in adults, there are an estimated three cases of non-invasive pneumococcal pneumonia. While non-invasive pneumococcal disease is more common, the invasive form is typically more severe.
Full press release: http://www.pfizer.ca/node/7286
Here is some information from a related press release:
Prevnar 13 Now Approved In Canada For The Prevention of Vaccine-Type Penumococcal Pneumonia In Adults 18 Years Of Age And Older
Health Canada Approves Expanded Indication for Prevnar 13
Kirkland, Quebec (August 5, 2015) – Prevnar® 13 (pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine) has received Health Canada’s approval for active immunization of adults 18 years of age and older for the prevention of pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F and 23F.
“Pneumococcal pneumonia is a leading cause of hospitalization and can pose a serious health risk – particularly to older adults and those who are vulnerable to this infection,” says Dr. Vivien Brown, Family Physician, University of Toronto, and Board Member of Immunize Canada. “The approval of this new indication for Prevnar 13 in Canada is great news for adults seeking added protection from this debilitating and potentially deadly disease.”
Health Canada’s approval of Prevnar 13’s expanded indication is based on Pfizer’s Community-Acquired Pneumonia Immunization Trial in Adults (CAPiTA), which evaluated the efficacy of immunization with Prevnar 13 to prevent a first episode of vaccine-type pneumococcal community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in adults aged 65 and older.
Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as pneumococcus, is the most common bacterial cause of community-acquired pneumonia, and a major cause of illness and death worldwide. Pneumococcal pneumonia is considered non-invasive when bacteria cause infection in the lungs but are not detected in the blood concurrently, or invasive when bacteria also enter the bloodstream or another normally sterile site in the body. For every one case of invasive pneumococcal pneumonia in adults, there are an estimated three cases of non-invasive pneumococcal pneumonia. While non-invasive pneumococcal disease is more common, the invasive form is typically more severe.
Full press release: http://www.pfizer.ca/node/7286
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cdnirene - Name: Irene S
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 66
Re: Canada & multiple myeloma
Thanks Irene for the interesting information about a new pneumonia vaccine. I wonder if it is meant to replace the other vaccine, or to add into the immunity with additional strains of the disease being protected against.
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Canada & multiple myeloma
No, Nancy, the newer vaccine doesn't replace the older vaccine.
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cdnirene - Name: Irene S
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 66
Re: Canada & multiple myeloma
Little Monkey wrote:
It's free (in BC) if you have a compromised immune system.
I think you have to pay $19-20 for the flu shot in British Columbia, but nothing here in Ontario.
It's free (in BC) if you have a compromised immune system.
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GaryH - Name: GaryH
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Nov./97
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Canada & multiple myeloma
Also, if you are 65 or older in BC, you do not have to pay for a flu shot.
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Wobbles - Name: Joe
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 67