Steroids and COVID vaccine: Has anyone have impact... - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

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Steroids and COVID vaccine

Cycles4fun profile image
13 Replies

Has anyone have impact that being on steroids for PMR/GCA COVID vaccine is not effective. We do not have antibodies from vaccine and should be tested.

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Cycles4fun
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13 Replies
HeronNS profile image
HeronNS

Apparently a small study has shown that being on any level of corticosteroids interferes with a good immune response. On the other hand other evidence seems to be that the second (booster) shot erases the deficiency so our immune response is close to that of people not on such medication. Somewhere in this forum in recent weeks links have been posted to these studies.

2013mayo profile image
2013mayo

Hi. I have had a test for antibodies and it was negative, I’ve had both vaccines so don’t really know where I go from here. I have GCA/ PMR, it’s a bit of a worry but I have to think along the lines of the vast majority of the UK have had the vaccine and do have antibodies so I hope I’m fairly safe. I’d like to know the answer but just have to live with it for the time being. I know some people on this site have tested positive for anti bodies ( lucky them).

Xx

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

It has been discussed quite a lot already - have a look at the Related Posts maybe?

However - there have been 2 articles on Sky News this morning, one about how many people with immunodeficiency problems are still shielding and that the Pfizer vaccine needs 2 shots to provide good cover against the Indian variant so its second shot is being recommended to be sooner than the usual12 weeks in the UK.

Scientists say that antibody production doesn't correlate with the level of immunity achieved. No vaccine is 100% successful in everyone - although some appear to be 100% successful in preventing serious illness if you do catch it. And there isn't enough data yet to say how good any are for us. So continuing with Space, Face and Hands (in that order) makes the most sense.

Pawscat11 profile image
Pawscat11

I had a bad reaction to the first jab which as done into my leg. It could have been caused by the needle being to small to reach the muscle so it was suggested by my consultant I had an antibody test in case it had to be redone. The test was 3 weeks after the first vaccine and did show antibodies. I have been on at least 10 and often 15mg of pred for 2 years and it still has given me some immunity. I have now had second vaccine. I had Moderna.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toPawscat11

That's encouraging!Have they used small needles in the UK? The ones here seemed to be very long!!!

Pawscat11 profile image
Pawscat11 in reply toPMRpro

As its usually in the arm a smallish needle is used but they used same needle for my leg which was probably a mistake. I had second vaccine in Spain and decided to go for my arm this time. but yes I think needle was longer than UK one.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toPawscat11

I know they needed long needles to get the 6th dose out of the Pfizer and Moderna vials. Maybe that was the reason. AZ didn't get here at that stage.

ling profile image
ling in reply toPawscat11

By the leg, was the injection to the thigh?

Pawscat11 profile image
Pawscat11 in reply toling

Yes

nuigini profile image
nuigini

I had an antibody test a few days before the second dose of Pfizer last month. Having had a mild case of Covid in January/February I was curious. The test showed positive for antibodies. Perhaps the 2nd shot will act like a booster?

brook2138 profile image
brook2138

I have been taking 8-10mg prednisolone for about 10 months, have had both Pfizer jabs and recently took part in the Biobank survey of antibody production. I don't know the level, but this showed I have produced antibodies. To the best of my knowledge, I have not been infected by Covid-19 and have been carefully shielding.

Mahnahvu profile image
Mahnahvu

I was vaccinated back in February with the two-jab Pfizer vaccine. I was on prednisone, Actemra and mycophenolate at the time. Earlier this week I had the B-antibody test and was negative for antibodies. I recognize that the immune system is more complex than just B-cells, but I was hoping for a little reassurance. I will have to go back to shielding until something develops with a possible booster vaccine.

Cycles4fun profile image
Cycles4fun in reply toMahnahvu

Thanks so much.

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