Should we be worried about measles?: Should we... - CLL Support

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Should we be worried about measles?

CCLandwell profile image
17 Replies

Should we be updating our measles vaccinations?

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CCLandwell profile image
CCLandwell
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17 Replies
Ironj profile image
Ironj

The CDC says 3 in a 100 can get the measles after two rounds of vaccination.

CCLandwell profile image
CCLandwell in reply to Ironj

But it is also less effective after decades of time.

Ironj profile image
Ironj in reply to CCLandwell

I would agree with that maybe that’s why the CDC said 3 out of a hundred would still get it if exposed. That being said I would imagine that we with CLL / SLL would be at a far greater risk even with having the vaccine.

AdrianUK profile image
AdrianUK in reply to CCLandwell

The other useful thing you could do is ask your doctors to do a specific antibody level for measles and pneumococcus while they are at it. Then you’ll know if you have immunity. If you don’t and then get exposure IVIG would give you at least some immunity see

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Lynnibeth profile image
Lynnibeth

I saw my doctor last Monday and he says we can’t have the measles vaccine- it’s a live virus vaccine. I asked about a booster since I work with kids.

GMa27 profile image
GMa27 in reply to Lynnibeth

It is not live. But my oncologist said I should be fine without the shot.

MsLockYourPosts profile image
MsLockYourPostsPassed Volunteer

You want to be sure that those around you are up to date on the measles vaccine and ask whether you need to avoid someone who was recently vaccinated, since it’s a live vaccine. If you have children, or work with kids, ask what the policy at their school(s) or your workplace is regarding those who have not been vaccinated. Some schools are not allowing those students who can’t show proof of vaccination to attend.

Authorities are taking this outbreak very seriously. In California 600 students and faculty at two major universities who were exposed to measles were quarantined, with health authorities monitoring compliance. Most are now back in classes.

Sojomama13 profile image
Sojomama13

Hi CCLandwell,

I want to first thank you for posting as this subject has been on my mind with all the recent media coverage. I brought it up to my GP and he said to him it would make perfect sense to get some bloodwork done and see if antibodies were found and go from there.

I did this with chicken pox prior to getting married. I was exposed to chicken pox, yet never got them as a child. As an adult I received the chicken pox vaccine. I think that we all have seen what shingles, a form of chicken pox, can do to folks with cll. Many of us are following our fellow member, Lola's story.

I am planning on emailing my cll specialist and find out her thoughts on this. Measles were considered eradicated in the US since 2000. Since that is essentially 18 years without data findings on the effects of measles and cll, I believe there will be many differing opinions as we move forward.

We got this!

Sandy

Panz profile image
Panz

I had both types of measles as a child and have measles to blame for the problem eye sight I have had all my life. I had severe cases of both and they were not fun! That shows my age as there was no MMR.

🙏😍☘️💕

PaulaS profile image
PaulaSVolunteer in reply to Panz

Panz, I'm so sorry that your eye sight has been permanently damaged due to measles as a child.

I knew a child who was left blind for life, after having measles..

Anti-vaxers seem to forget these things...

Paula

DriedSeaweed profile image
DriedSeaweed

Does anyone know if measles has the capacity to evolve or mutate like the flu or the cold?

bkoffman profile image
bkoffmanCLL CURE Hero

It's a live vaccine and to be avoided. There was a death of an HIV patient from the vaccine and although that immunosuppression is different from ours, there is a real risk for us. NO LIVE VACCINE! Brian CLLSociety.org

catnapcrew profile image
catnapcrew in reply to bkoffman

Thanks for confirming this. Saw gp yesterday about this. He said no Graham shouldn’t have the vaccine as live (he has cll, 17p, treated on the venetoclax+ibrutinib trial in Australia). He said if I have the shot I will get a mild dose of it and could pass onto him- is that right? I was tested and immune to it so don’t need the shot, but thought I’d mention this for others.

AussieNeil profile image
AussieNeilAdministrator in reply to catnapcrew

With any live vaccine, there is the risk that the vaccinated person can shed the virus and infect others. That's unlikely to be an issue in those with healthy immune systems who are exposed, but with our compromised immune systems, we could become quite ill.

Neil

bkoffman profile image
bkoffmanCLL CURE Hero in reply to AussieNeil

Neil is correct.

Sojomama13 profile image
Sojomama13

Marcia, Marcia, Marcia......

Hoffy profile image
Hoffy

I asked Dr. Kipps and he said the same thing as Brian. He also mentions that maybe more IGG via IVIG could help one prevent getting it- but he did not have a good answer.

It is crazy that we are discussing a virus that was pretty much gone in the USA.

Everyone needs to be vaccinated!!

Be well,

Hoffy

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