ITP and the Covid Vaccine - Reply from ITP Specialists at McMaster in Canada.

[Notorious_IVIG]

Wanted to share this reply from my Doctors at McMaster in Canada as many of us here have reached out with questions and concerns regarding ITP and the Covid vaccine. Hope this helps in any way. Alia

[Notorious_IVIG]

I’ve copied and pasted it here in case the attachment wasn’t clear to read.

COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance for Patients with Autoimmune Diseases

We have received many questions regarding the use of COVID-19 vaccines in patients with autoimmune diseases. The first thing to be aware of, is that most studies done for these vaccines did not include patients with autoimmune diseases or patient receiving treatments that may suppress the immune system. The general opinion of specialists in the field is that the benefit of getting a COVID-19 vaccine far outweighs the risk.

What you should know:

• The COVID-19 vaccines are not "live" vaccines. They cannot cause COVID-19.

• Any vaccine, including the COVID-19 vaccine, may be less effective for people who have an autoimmune condition or who are taking immune-suppressant medications. This does not prevent you from receiving the vaccine, since it still may be very effective, and we recommend taking the vaccine.

• In very rare instances, the vaccine can trigger a flare of ITP or other autoimmune

conditions. This has been reported in several dozen people (out of millions) who developed severely low platelets after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine. All in all, this side effect is

rare. People with platelet problems should be on the lookout for any bleeding symptoms, and should contact their doctor and check their platelet count if bleeding occurs.

• Most treatments for autoimmune conditions do not blunt the benefit of vaccines; however some treatments (e.g. rituximab) might make the vaccine less effective.

• Recently, there have been a few reports of blood clots forming in people who have received the Covid-19 vaccine. This risk is thought to be very rare, and so far seems to be linked only with the Astra-Zeneca Covid-19 vaccine. Overall, we recommend that patients receive any brand of the Covid-19 vaccine that they are offered, including the Astra-Zeneca vaccine.

[Anthonyh7 in reply to Notorious_IVIG]

This echoes the comments made by professor Adrian Newland CBE in the following statements to the ITP Support association here in the UK -

1. itpsupport.org.uk/index.php...

2. itpsupport.org.uk/images/do...

3. itpsupport.org.uk/index.php...