Q. Could you please tell me

how often a person should get the pneumonia shot? I have heard three different

answers from medical personnel: once in a lifetime, twice in a lifetime

and every five years. I'm confused.

A. It seems that guidance on

the pneumonia vaccination has been a moving target in recent years, and

it is confusing. Here's my understanding of the latest recommendations:

Get the pneumonia shot if you:

- Are 65 years or older.

- Have a chronic disease

(heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, etc.)

- Have a weakened immune

system due to disease or drugs.

- Are healthy and wish

to avoid getting pneumonia or spreading it to high-risk individuals.

Get a one-time booster shot

(revaccination) if you:

- Are 65 years or older

and received your initial pneumonia shot before you turned 65.

- Have chronic renal failure

or nephrotic syndrome or a suppressed immune system.

Q. One of my physicians has

diagnosed my nerve condition as chronic GBS (Guillain-Barre Syndrome)

but another categorizes it as CIDP (chronic inflammatory demyelinating

polyneuropathy). I am uncertain about whether I should get a flu shot.