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Covid-19 vaccine

Mikeila profile image
67 Replies

Hi guys. Did anyone with coeliac have the vaccine done? If yes, did you experience any side effects? I was thinking to book a call with my GP and ask him (not sure he will know!) what is the impact on people with coeliac.

Thank you

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Mikeila profile image
Mikeila
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67 Replies

Hi Mikeila

I had the vaccine three weeks ago (extremely clinically vulnerable). I took a slight temperature and was a bit yucky the rest of day but nothing major . I doubt having celiac would cause any extra issues.

corby39 profile image
corby39

I had the vaccination 6 weeks ago still no adverse effects can't wait to get the next one so I can have a much needed holiday.

Regalbirdy profile image
Regalbirdy

Hi

I’ve had mine - and it was fine.

I had a sore arm for about 48 hours – so I recommend that you have it on your non-dominant side.

After that, you just have to wait for 21 days for it to become effective. Job done!

Whydothis profile image
Whydothis

I had mine 3 weeks ago, with no side-effects whatsoever. I don't believe the side effects are likely to be linked to being coeliac - they seem to randomly affect about 1 in 10 people regardless of their health.

When I was asked whether I had any allergies, I said no, but I am coeliac, and the nurse who was about to inject me commented that being coeliac made it even more important to have the vaccination. (She was almost the first healthcare person I have come across to know much about coeliac disease!)

I suggest grabbing it with both hands as soon as you get the chance. None of the safety and side effects tests have come up with any problems related to autoimmune diseases.

in reply to Whydothis

Did they give any reason as to why those with coeliac were of greater need for the vaccine?

Mikeila profile image
Mikeila in reply to

I’m a front line worker so I have to have it!

Whydothis profile image
Whydothis in reply to

I didn't prolong the conversation because obviously they were trying to get through as many people as possible!

I assume it was a combination of the fact that the government includes people with spleen problems in group 6 (16 to 60 in an at-risk group) and that Coeliac UK say that a third of coeliacs have reduced spleen function. CD is not mentioned as a criterion for being in group 6 though.

in reply to Whydothis

Ah, ok, spleen aspect. Thank you.

SaraG profile image
SaraG in reply to Whydothis

'Coeliac syndrome' is listed in the 'Asplenia or dysfunction of the spleen' category of Table 3 - Clinical risk groups 16 years of age and over who should receive COVID-19 immunisation (this table sets out full details of those in group 6).

Table 3 can be found at page numbers 10-11 of the current version of Chapter 14a of the Green book (Public Health England's official information on vaccines and vaccination procedures, for vaccine preventable infectious diseases in the UK).

It is available at the link shown below, or you can search online for 'Green book Chapter 14a'

assets.publishing.service.g...

Whydothis profile image
Whydothis in reply to SaraG

That's interesting - thank you. I was given mine on the basis of being over 65, not because I am coeliac. I wonder how many younger coeliacs have been offered the vaccination.

SaraG profile image
SaraG in reply to Whydothis

I know of lots of younger coeliacs in various areas of the UK who have now been offered the vaccine - although we're still waiting in my area as they have been vaccinating at a slower pace over the past few weeks, due to less vaccine supply being available - but supply is due to increase considerably from next week so fingers crossed!

lclark7335 profile image
lclark7335 in reply to Whydothis

Me, I had mine 4 weeks ago. I’m 58 so was offered early. Had Pfizer. No side effects.

Breeches profile image
Breeches in reply to Whydothis

yes, it is.

Dippydora profile image
Dippydora in reply to

Compromised immune system

in reply to Dippydora

Without being funny, does coeliac actually compromise the immune system? It is autoimmune, but if treated with a gluten free diet, and all minerals/vitamins ok, a coeliac immune system will not be comprised any more than the average punter.

Whydothis profile image
Whydothis in reply to

Only via the possible spleen problem, as I understand it

Rhyothemis profile image
Rhyothemis in reply to

There is a reason that people get Celiac in the first place, and it has to do with differences in innate immune function caused by difference in MCH class genes. People with CD are have higher rates of certain types of infections & their complications; this is usually attributed to nutritional deficiencies, however, other factors are starting to be considered and I think there will be a lot more on these factors in future: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/320...

On the plus side, people with CD are at lower risk for certain cancers, e.g., endometrial and breast.

Cooper27 profile image
Cooper27 in reply to

It's because around 20% with coeliac disease are spleno-compromised. As they don't know who is and who isn't, most authorities are vaccinating all as a precaution, whilst some are choosing not to vaccinate coeliac's as higher priority. It seems to be up to your individual health board.

Whydothis profile image
Whydothis

Infection with Covid is far more likely to cause cytokine storm than is the vaccination (but it is relatively rare even then)

Sapphire10 profile image
Sapphire10

I had mine 4 weeks ago and apart from a sore arm for about a day, I was fine. Pleased to be given it.

Whydothis profile image
Whydothis

If you wish to take the risk and assume that Covid will not give you any adverse effect, that is your decision. Most of us disagree.

Regarding the cytokine storm:

We have two types of immunity from infectious diseases.

One is innate immunity, which is not specific to any particular virus or bacteria, but can deal with any, and this is what we rely on to defend us when we first "meet" a new one. Cytokines are an important part of this response, and in cases of serious infection, they can be overproduced, causing the cytokine storm, which is dangerous. It is thought that this has been a factor in very many Covid deaths (months before we started to be vaccinated for it) as well as some flu deaths (such as the H5N1 we had to worry about a couple of years ago) and some other illnesses.

Then we have the acquired immunity, which we get from either an infection or from a vaccine. This does not involve cytokines - it consists of antibodies and B&T cells which are programmed to recognise the specific illness and deal with it more efficiently than the innate immunity can. Thus a vaccine (for any disease) does not cause cytokine storm.

Of course we can boost our immune system by ensuring a good balance of micronutrients in our diet, but this does not invalidate the value of a vaccine.

K-Kilcoyne profile image
K-Kilcoyne

I had it done 3 weeks ago, no effects at all.

Whydothis profile image
Whydothis

No vaccine is trying to "compete" with recovery from infection - it is aiming to reduce the likelihood of infection in the first place because not everybody does recover.

An "even more robust immune system" does not protect against the cytokine storm you started with - a study by Osterholm in 2005 concluded that "a healthy immune system may have been a liability rather than an asset" in the 2018 pandemic, when the majority of deaths were in young, otherwise healthy adults, and this is now thought to be due to cytokine storm.

Whydothis profile image
Whydothis in reply to Whydothis

I have just realised I put 2018 here, when I meant 1918! Sorry!😡

CATRYNA49 profile image
CATRYNA49 in reply to Whydothis

That was a whole different ball game back in 1918.

Whydothis profile image
Whydothis in reply to CATRYNA49

Yes it was - and one big difference is that we did not have the ability to vaccinate that we have now! That is part of my point though - coping with a new virus is not only about having a strong immune system - we are lucky to have vaccines today

CATRYNA49 profile image
CATRYNA49 in reply to Whydothis

In 1918 they most certainly had the capability to vaccinate and did so. First with the military starting in 1917, many of whom sickened and died before ever being shipped overseas and many more while in the trenches in Europe. Then the citizenry in 1918 were injected against whatever the soldiers might be carrying, returning home from the front. Also, every one of the thousands of horses that were shipped to Europe for the war, were injected with a "flu bacterium." That was headed by my great grandfather. So, indeed there was mass injections going on in 1917 through 1919.

Whydothis profile image
Whydothis in reply to CATRYNA49

Indeed they were vaccinating people as well as horses against what they thought at the time was a flu bacterium. The bacteria they found were in fact a secondary infection - it was the 1930s before it was realised that flu is caused by a virus, not bacteria. Any vaccinations done in WW1 were not effective against flu.

Whydothis profile image
Whydothis

I would be interested to know the numbers for "high recovery rate" and for the number of people who "don't even realise" they have it. What is the evidence?

blowinginthewind profile image
blowinginthewind

Yes, although I had the vaccine a while ago because I have chronic leukaemia as well as coeliac. My immune system is thus very compromised. I got a reaction of feeling tired, achey and a bit headachey for a couple of days - nothing to stop me doing anything though. For me that was a good response, it meant that my immune system was using my energy to produce the antibodies. Not sure if that is the case for people who are just coeliac.

blowinginthewind profile image
blowinginthewind

I have a blood cancer which can cause cytokine storm. Leukaemia care are amazing, we have had webinars about the virus, about the vaccines, about the treatments etc. The vaccine CAN NOT cause a cytokine storm.

Hello Mikeila I had my first jab 2 weeks ago and had a slight headache and a few twinges but to me this shows my immune system has reacted to the immunisation and has produced T cells.

I’d urge everyone to have the vaccine.

Vaccine info.
blowinginthewind profile image
blowinginthewind

That is NOT true; I am severely immunocompromised and it is likely that Covid would put me in intensive care at the very least. I have friends who have died from this, despite having taken vitamins etc. Sadly anti-vaxxers and pandemic deniers are making things much worse for the people who care about their own health and the health of others.

CATRYNA49 profile image
CATRYNA49 in reply to blowinginthewind

Playing the blame game and pointing fingers at others is an art practiced by those who wish to cause fear and divisions. For those of us knowledgeable about this tactic as well as the use of intimidation, ridicule, insinuation, smearing one's good character, etc; these will not work. Knowledge is power and with knowledge comes common sense, responsibility, respect and tolerance of others and their belief system. For those of us who have been down the rabbit hole of "modern medicine" and it's detrimental effects , we will not be swayed by anyone's belief in today's narrative.

liver-bird profile image
liver-bird

Had AstraZeneca a few weeks ago. No major problems. Was shivery and sleepy day after vaccine then normal. Arm a little sore for a week. No problems for coeliac

CATRYNA49 profile image
CATRYNA49

You are so right. My husband and I along with our son, his wife and their two daughters live together in the same house, along with 5 others on our property. Our DIL, came home early this past January, from working outside all day in the wind and rain. She was feeling sick and chilled and was worse the next day. She went in and was tested for COVID and it proved to be positive. She treated herself homeopathically and herbally, as is our standard when contracting anything. When our DIL, began having congestion she breathed the vapers from boiled water with Melaleuca oil, Peppermint EO and Oregano EO. Our DIL was ill for 2 weeks, our two granddaughters were ill for 2 days and all three recovered and have had no after effects. Our son, in his mid-thirties and my husband and I in our 70's remained unscathed, the whole time. But, we did increase certain supplements to aid in keeping our immune system's strong. I suspect having gotten chilled our dear DIL's immune system took a dump, that day, also being half Navajo didn't help either. The same with our granddaughters, being 1/4 Navajo. Becoming ill with this illness or any other, is all about genetics, health at any given time, and proper care while healthy and while sick.

blowinginthewind profile image
blowinginthewind in reply to CATRYNA49

I am glad you are all ok - I treated both my daughters with homeopathic teething granules when they are babies, and use other natural remedies. Because my cancer is in my spleen, lymph system, and blood, I become very poorly with very minor infections, including ending up in ICU on one occasion. Hence, I really need that vaccine, in the hope it produces antibodies. Even so I rely on the general herd immunity to protect me. Haven't been out for almost a year now, and can't start to go out until 4 weeks after 2nd vaccine. 🙃

CATRYNA49 profile image
CATRYNA49 in reply to blowinginthewind

Thank you. Sorry to hear of your devastating illnesses. I'm sure that already, with most people having come in contact with whatever COVID is, there is already a massive herd immunity that has built up over the past 14+ months or so. That, in itself, will get us farther down the road to recovery.

😘

blowinginthewind profile image
blowinginthewind in reply to CATRYNA49

Hopefully so; for me right now the hardest part is not being able to meet friends and not been able to go for my morning swim. I would go at 6.00 a.m. when it was quiet, swim a mile or so and come home set up and energetic for the day. Take care Liz

CATRYNA49 profile image
CATRYNA49 in reply to blowinginthewind

Oh yes, I remember those days, myself, with an early morning swim to start the day. Where did you used to swim ? Is that closed to the public now? I am so sorry that this simple source of exercise has been interrupted and hope that things will return to normal or some semblance of normal sooner than later. Thank you, and you take care as well.

Mikeila profile image
Mikeila in reply to CATRYNA49

I love homeopathy ! I use it all the time.

CATRYNA49 profile image
CATRYNA49

So true. Our family would be living proof of that. 😊

Whydothis profile image
Whydothis

Blowinginthewind was not using labels to besmirch you or anyone else. Of course we need to be respectful and polite, as you say, but I don't see how "anti vaxxer" is derogatory - it us surely an accurate description of the argument that you are putting forward. You quite clearly see the vaccines as a potential problem, while Blowinginthewind and I see them as a potential life-saver - so we can all be described as either anti- or pro-vaxxers as a shorthand summary of our positions.

Whydothis profile image
Whydothis

I think I have stated my case, with a little of my evidence. I have asked for some of your evidence to advance the discussion, but it was not forthcoming.

I do not have time to take this discussion any further.

hashimomma profile image
hashimomma

Hello. One of my doctors has coeliac. He’s probably in his late 30s. He said he felt pretty crappy the next day but he worked anyway. After that, he was fine.

Mikeila profile image
Mikeila

Very informative! Thank you, I will have a look :0

Kim1950 profile image
Kim1950

Yes I had it three weeks ago and I had no side effects whatsoever, apart from a slight soreness on the injection site for a couple of days. No worse than having the annual flu jab. Really looking forward to my second jab in April then I can be parolled from lockdown.

Kim1950 profile image
Kim1950

I wonder if the 100,000 plus people who died from Covid would agree with you? Or those now suffering the long term effects of the disease? I'm an Army veteren and as is the case with ALL servicemen and women, I have been vaccinated against everything under the sun, some more than once. As a child I was vaccinated routinely for TB, Diptheria, Polio, and Smallpox through the Schools Health Service. I'm still here and not a peep from Bill Gates! My son who is 43, who had never been vaccinated for anything on medical advice, had open heart surgery last year to replace the aortic valve. It had been damaged by a childhood illness and had lain undiscovered for years.

Whydothis profile image
Whydothis

You are right, this isn't Ebola, it is completely different. The death rate is enormously higher (like 50%) in those who catch Ebola - but it is nowhere near as transmissible, as it is more contagious rather than infectious - you have to be in contact with body fluids to catch it. Coronaviruses, on the other hand, are infectious - we catch them via airborne droplets, and this means each infected person can infect more others.

CATRYNA49 profile image
CATRYNA49

I was sent this recently and found it so comprehensive and informative. I thought you would appreciate it too. vimeo.com/498442220

Clarrisa profile image
Clarrisa

In the winter of 2019-2020 I skipped the basic flu shot. I came down with something but at the time the doctors stopped seeing patients with respiratory issues, or with any other Covid-19 symptom in person. They began to work out the kinks of substituting telemedicine.

Consequently a likely very treatable problem turned into a prolonged ordeal that developed into a chronic sinus infection. This dragged down my overall resistance & lead to other (likely also preventable) health issues. For example the prescribed medication caused flashing light in my eyes. My Ophthalmologist’s phone didn’t even ring. I found out later he had Covid-19, etc., etc.

The long story is with respiratory symptoms it wasn’t possible to receive in person healthcare, short of going to overwhelmed Urgent Cares or Emergency Rooms. The public was being told to stay away from them unless you practically had one foot in the grave at that time. Telemedicine didn’t cut it at all in my case. I personally will never ever skip ANY vaccination again as long as I live.

I think any available healthcare resources or lack of should weigh into your overall vaccination decision making. A sibling lives up in the mountains. Even having received the Covid-19 vaccination she bought airlift evacuation insurance. Make some solid back up plans, that is all I can say.

Mikeila profile image
Mikeila in reply to Clarrisa

Hi, again guys. I had the vaccine two days ago. They've given me Astra Zeneca. It's been a nightmare. I had a temperature, tummy pain, and diarrhea, horrible headache, my arm killed me and I couldn't get out of bed. I'm a bit better today.

Whydothis profile image
Whydothis in reply to Mikeila

Sorry to hear you are one of the people with the unpleasant side effects, especially as that is what you asked about in the first place.I hope you soon feel better and feel that it was worth it.

Whydothis profile image
Whydothis

Different coronaviruses require different levels of care, and different levels of vulnerability likewise.For myself, I don't worry about isolating from colds or flu, although if someone tells me they have one or the other I don't go rushing to get close to them! I also have the flu vaccine each year.

More importantly, if I have a cold, or more importantly flu, I certainly do keep well away from the frail elderly people amongst my friends and family, because they are more vulnerable.

Since we know that Covid can have more serious consequences than "ordinary" flu, it has called for extra measures.

Mikeila profile image
Mikeila

You are right!

Cooper27 profile image
Cooper27

OH had his, he had a bit of a hangover headache for the whole of the next day, but nothing to write home about.

It seems you're likely to react more severely of you've actually had Covid, according to a few unofficial sources!

Whydothis profile image
Whydothis in reply to Cooper27

I have heard that too. There is a theory that it is because they have developed some immunity and so the body reacts more to the vaccine, but I don't know whether there is any evidence for that.

Cooper27 profile image
Cooper27

This appears to be a quite old video, from around their herd immunity strategy days? Pretty much a year today? Do you know the date it was taken?

We have a decent idea of how many die with Covid now, he didn't seem to have that figure at the time of the video. I also didn't hear any mention of "long Covid" which wasn't really known about this time last year. It would be interesting to know those numbers.

Clarrisa profile image
Clarrisa

I once met a young women from Africa here in the states earning a advanced degree in public health. Her area of study was hepatitis. She told me that more people die of hepatitis than AIDS in Africa. Before she returned to Africa she wanted every single vaccination she could get her hands on.

I am merely encouraging people to evaluate their surroundings too in their vaccination decision making process. If you live next door to the Mayo Clinic then go ahead & chance it!

Clarrisa profile image
Clarrisa

Chance is on your side if you are young. Chance is not on my side at my advancing age. Chance is said to favor the prepared mind. I experienced what a lack of a flu virus vaccination did to my body last year (my virus panel was negative). Experience is said to be the best teacher. I hope you don't learn the hard way as I did.

Cooper27 profile image
Cooper27

Londinium, I disagree with you, but I'm not going to attempt to argue with you on it, as I don't think it would be a good use of your time or mine.

When I talk "herd immunity strategy days" I'm using that as a reference to the period prior to lockdown last March only, it isn't to start a debate on the strategy of lockdowns.

To circle back to my unanswered question, I've checked and see this is a snippet from April 2020, so the data would be very out of date. I would reconsider using it as evidence of death/recovery rates. We have far more useful information to base claims on today.

Cooper27 profile image
Cooper27

We have much more reliable information on death Vs infection rates and long Covid these days. The info from April 2020 was based on speculation of numbers.

Cooper27 profile image
Cooper27

If those are the figures you have, then those are the figures you have. They aren't the same as the numbers I've seen elsewhere, but we won't change each others minds by pursuing a debate on it I don't think :)

Rhyothemis profile image
Rhyothemis

Survival is not the same as full recovery. Many are left disabled - we will have to wait and see what percentage are left permanently disabled, or how many later develop Parkinson's, dementia, pulmonary fibrosis ...

Clarrisa profile image
Clarrisa

Life is full of double edged swords.

Cooper27 profile image
Cooper27

If that's the case, then you don't need to share a video a year old...

Cooper27 profile image
Cooper27

If it's the case you follow "infectious disease experts, virologists, immunologists, etc, who have no conflicts of interests" then you will have more up to date data than this year old video.

This isn't a request for more videos by the way, so please don't feel a need to share any with me. I just felt I should flag that your information is superceded.

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