Just got mine earlier this evening.

Well, help me out here if you can. I've been following the thread.
But there is still some confusion on my part, since I'm over 65.
The stats say that of all those who die from the flu, 90 % are over 65.
Yet, in your original post, Rooster, you said that only those UNDER 65 are on a high priority list.

Also, in the video on one of your last threads, it state that:
"Get vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia at least once after the age of 65. "

I cannot find a flu shot and I didn't even know about the pneumonia.

I'm probably going to die.

cheers,
Jay

The seasonal flu hits those of us over 65 the hardest and most seasonal flu death are in this age group. This year's "extra" flu - the H1N1 flu is hitting mostly younger people.

In Canada, there was a priority list for vaccination against the H1N1 because it hits mostly younger people. The first group to get the vaccine were Health Care Workers, pregnant women past a certain month, babies 6 mons and up, people in households with babies under 6 months and people under 65 with underlying medical conditions. These groups were considered "high risk" for getting the H1N1 flu. After that came people over 65 with underlying medical conditions and then elementary school children and high school age youth. This Friday, the clinics will open up to everyone - those from the "high risk" groups who haven't yet had the vaccine and everyone else who wants the H1N1 vaccine.

For people over 65, Canadian health authorities were advising people over 65 to get the seasonal flu vaccine first and then, when they came up in pecking order, the H1N1 vaccine as well. Most people over 65 were exposed to the popularly called "Swine Flu "(H1N1) in the 60s so have some immunity built up against it therefore it is not as urgent for them as the seasonal flu vaccine. We are all advised to get the H1N1 vaccine when it is "our turn" though.

I am 70 with an underlying medical condition (in addition to sleep apnea) and had my seasonal flu shot about 3 weeks ago. Late last week, my group became eligible for the H1N1 vaccine. Since last Saturday, I have had a cold so am waiting for it to be over before getting the H1N1 vaccine!

I should say that this is how it is being handled in Ontario and most other Provinces in Canada. There are some differences Province to Province.

I had the Pneumonia vaccine in the 90s and had a booster shot of that last fall with my seasonal flu shot.

I don't know if that is how it is being handled in the US but thought it might help you get sorted out about this.

packitin wrote:Well, help me out here if you can. I've been following the thread.
But there is still some confusion on my part, since I'm over 65.
The stats say that of all those who die from the flu, 90 % are over 65.
Yet, in your original post, Rooster, you said that only those UNDER 65 are on a high priority list.

Also, in the video on one of your last threads, it state that:
"Get vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia at least once after the age of 65. "

I cannot find a flu shot and I didn't even know about the pneumonia.

I'm probably going to die.

cheers,
Jay

These reports are always talking about a large group or the general population. If you want protection for the individual you, the vaccines are a good idea. Jay, you really need to get the pneumonia shot. Flu shots are a good idea also.

for those so up tight about the danger of flu shots :

Dr. David Butler-Jones says that of the 6.5 million people who have received the H1N1 vaccine, only 36 have had serious adverse reactions.

That would work out to such a small percentage tha my calculator give 5.5384615384615384615384615384615e-4

You are far more likely to die of a lightening strike

packitin wrote:But there is still some confusion on my part, since I'm over 65. ... Yet, in your original post, Rooster, you said that only those UNDER 65 are on a high priority list.

The H1N1 virus appears to be related to a flu virus that swept through the world in the 30s and 40s. As a result, those who are 65 and older probably have already been exposed to this strain of virus. So, unlike must flu outbreaks, younger folks have a high higher risk of serious complications.

packitin wrote:Also, in the video on one of your last threads, it state that:
"Get vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia at least once after the age of 65. "

I cannot find a flu shot and I didn't even know about the pneumonia.

This is a vaccine to help protect against the viral form of pneumonia. You might want to search "pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine" in your favorite search engine. For example, the following is one page that helps explain it:

http://www.hap.org/healthy_living/seniors/pneumoni.php

packitin wrote:I'm probably going to die.

cheers,
Jay

Hopefully not anytime soon!

Hope this helps.

So my neighbour next door just died of complications of the flu or cold. We don't know because the stubborn old coot refused to go to a doctor even when hassled this week by his friends who wanted to take him to ER when he was having trouble breathing.
But he is dead and the community here will miss him. He was the old school "Balconville" habitant who was born where he died. He would spend his days sitting on his balcony talking to everyone in the neighbourhood who walked by - he was like the switchboard of the street - he knew everyone and what was happening.

After the fire in my old building about 2 blocks from here, when I moved here, one day when I was walking home from work he called to me and handed me some of my belongings (family pictures mostly) which had disappeared under the mess. The construction workers when scraping out the mess had found them and given them to him in case he knew who owned them.

BlackSpinner wrote:So my neighbour next door just died of complications of the flu or cold. We don't know because the stubborn old coot refused to go to a doctor even when hassled this week by his friends who wanted to take him to ER when he was having trouble breathing.
But he is dead and the community here will miss him. He was the old school "Balconville" habitant who was born where he died. He would spend his days sitting on his balcony talking to everyone in the neighbourhood who walked by - he was like the switchboard of the street - he knew everyone and what was happening.

After the fire in my old building about 2 blocks from here, when I moved here, one day when I was walking home from work he called to me and handed me some of my belongings (family pictures mostly) which had disappeared under the mess. The construction workers when scraping out the mess had found them and given them to him in case he knew who owned them.

I am very sorry for your loss. Too many of us are too stubborn about our health issues. We need to remember your neighbor when we are trying to deny our symptoms.

Request for prayers for Lillian.

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=1 ... 3280774868

Mon, Nov 23.

LILLIAN CHASON, a first year student at UNC-Chapel Hill, is critically ill with H1N1 and is now on life support. Please join us in remembering her and her family in your prayers. You can also use this site to leave well-wishes and prayers.

The San Patricio County health director confirms that a 23-year old man from Mathis also passed away over the weekend after contracting the virus. The man had been hospitalized since Nov. 17th and suffered from sleep apnea. His death marks thefourth H1N1 fatality in San Pat County. http://www.kztv10.com/news/2-local-h1n1 ... over-wknd/

Ok here goes.

I have got the vaccine a while ago, since I can't risk being the source of spreading the virus to my patients with COPD and such. Had no sideeffects, except some pain in the arm for 2 days.

And yes, offcourse Sleep apnea is/ can be chronic. There are different types and severity offcourse.

But one thing that no one seem to have commented on, is that people who use CPAP machines should have a greater chance of survival (if they got it bad). If you think about it, we sleep with semi respirators every night, so our breeding shouldn't be that much of a strain on the rest og our bodies. If you have a BiPAP or APAP you should be even better set up for fighting a respiratory desease. That even goes to some extent for heart problems too.

Just though I would mention it

I didn't get the vaccine. I got the regular flu vaccine through work in Sept and was supposed to get the swine flu one so I wouldn't turn into a piggy. But I came down with the flu and was off work when they were distributed.

Now I just read today that the vaccine for kids has been recalled.

UGH that's our government at work.

Gerry

The kids' vaccine was recalled because it wasn't strong enough.... http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/79322302.html

I got both flu vaccines this year. There were shortages here, so I had a hard time finding the seasonal flu vaccine. My docs got it in and were out before I could get one. Fortunately my pulmonologist's office got a second shipment, and I got one of the last they had. Three of my docs said I should get the H1N1 because of severe asthma and Crohn's. None of my docs' offices were able to get the H1N1 vaccine, so I monitored the county health department's web site and ultimately got the vaccine at a clinic held at a local school.

I was told I might feel sick for a few days, because the H1N1 vaccine stimulates our immune systems. As it turned out, I had a slight headache and very mild chills for an hour that evening. The next day I felt fine, and my arm wasn't even sore!

I've now had two pneumonia shots. One in early 1981 when I was in college, and a second one a couple years ago on the advice of my primary doc. I've heard that pneumovax is normally one shot, but some of us require a booster within five years. I don't know if that means I'll need another one, or if I've had what I need now.

I was really not sure I wanted to get the H1N1, but my pulmonologist was the one who convinced me. He'd gotten it himself and had no problems, and he told me just how sick those with H1N1 in the hospital were.

I'm glad I got the shot.

I'm in the province of Quebec in Canada... both mom and I received our H1N1 shots about 3 weeks ago.

Only 35% of the population has received the H1N1 shots so there is a lot of leftover vaccine. The government have started an advertising campaign on TV urging the population to get their shots.

Saw my Doc about a week ago and asked him about the regular flu shot... he is not recommending it this year.