Allergic response

I had the flu jab twice with no ill effects but last year my arm swelled up and I had itchy eyes and throat. My doctor says I can't have it again because it could be dangerous and they are looking for an alternative vaccine, but to be honest I've gone off the whole idea.

Ouch! Certainly an bad reaction! Hope it is much better very quickly! i wonder what they develop the vaccine on? i know years ago my DD1 could not have the measle jab because it was grown on egg and she had an allergy to eggs. Poor kid caught measles from her little sister when she had her vaccination!

It's been 4.5 days now Penstemmon! The shingles jab has eased a lot and the redness has almost gone but the pneumonia one is still a red patch 6 inches wide and 3.5 inches deep. It's not quite as tender though so I am hoping that another day or so will see it back to normal. It really has put me off the 'flu jab though, which I was considering having for the first time this autumn.

I was given the pneumonia jab last year, when I had the flu jab, as a precautionary measure due to underlying health issues. My arm was sore for about 36 hours.

I think yesterday on the "Good morning" thread, Mick said he'd had a red inflamed arm after his pneumonia jab!
Maybe they got the mix wrong!

Perhaps your tongue was in your cheek Hollydaze, but I doubt if the vaccine is given simply to reduce costs to the NHS.

Although pneumonia is sometimes referred to as the old man's friend, it is a horrible illness. The NHS vaccination programme is something the NHS can rightly be proud of in terms of prevention of suffering.

I've taken all the advice and reported it to the surgery. If it's not cleared up by Monday I have to go in and see a Dr. Thanks everyone.

Definitely report it. I was under the impression that one should have one jab at a time in case there are any allergic reactions.

The pneumonia jab is a one off.

And if the ageing population is a problem, why does the Treasury sanction these jabs on the NHS anyway?

No doubt cheaper to jab than to treat people with pneumonia.

I was told pneumonia jab was a one-off. Mind you, ten years at my age may come to the same thing.

And if the ageing population is a problem, why does the Treasury sanction these jabs on the NHS anyway?

Definitely report it. The doctor needs to know about a reaction that needed treatment.

I thought it lasted 10 years nina.

I agree with Elegran except to say when I had my pneumonia jab I was told it was a one off and would never need repeating.

Yes, report it. That is the only way that the possible side-effects can be logged. If you suffer in silence it will not be in the statistics. It is worth reporting anyay - it will go on your medical record and hopefully be noticed the next time you need the jab.