Pneumovax, can't get a definitive answer

[NancyMc]

My neurosurgeon prescribed a pneumonia vaccination 2 to 3 weeks before surgery to prevent meningitis post-op.  I remembered I had one almost ten years ago when I was diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis and was on prednisone.  Some say that is adequate protection, and some say I should get another vaccination.  Anyone have any thoughts?
Thank you.
Nancy

[Cheryl R]

Since it has been that long ago, there is a chance it may not hurt to have another one.     This is bugging me now as when I was working any person  who was in with pneumonia  and over 65 had to have one.   We had an automatic order form and I can not remember what all it said on it.    I will ask a friend.    If you had had it before 65 you did not get it again but it may have depended on how long ago it was.               So your 10 yr time frame, may mean you can.         I will check into it.                                    Cheryl R

[GRACE1]

I was told when I had my first one that it was good for life.  Now I have been told you need to have 1 every 10 years - or something like that.

Grace

[Jim Scott]

Nancy ~

I'm not a doctor or a nurse but I believe that a pneumonia vaccination is recommended for those who don't know if and/or when they last received it or if it has been more than 5 years since your last vaccination.  It tends to be a fairly uneventful inoculation, with few side effects.  I suspect that your surgeon is just being cautious or perhaps simply following hospital pre-op protocol. 
Jim

[NancyMc]

After much ado, it seems that the manufacturer does not allow/recommends against more than two pneumonia vaccinations per lifetime and no closer together than five years.  So, I'm just going to assume the one I had in October, 1999 will do the trick.
Thanks for your attention and advice.  I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Nancy
PS - Tentative for April 8 translab