SLE and covid vaccine

[Kelbol1]

Does anyone know if you have SLE and are on Mycophenolate is it ok to have either of the vaccines? I had read somewhere on a BBC report that one of the vaccines due out is not going to be any use if you are on certain immune suppressant medication. As the NHS are looking to roll this out when it comes out immediately should we just get the vaccine contact our consultants or wait for advice - no one at work seems to know and they are telling everyone to have the vaccine

[PMRpro]

I doubt anyone knows yet - no trials done yet in a/i patients,

However, at least one of the vaccines in advanced trials works via t-cells to develop the immunity. If you are on an immunosuppressant that selectively stops t-cells then obviously that vaccine would not be much use. Natural immunity after infection with Covid-19 shows boosted numbers of t-cells,

Unfortunately - I don't know which immunosuppressants do that although I think someone asked a similar question recently about their medication which they said kills t-cells. But the person to ask is your rheumatology team - because they DO need to think about it!

[Kelbol1 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for replying - I wonder if they will know before they start vaccinations then - they are saying they hoping to start vaccinations any day just waiting for go ahead - you would think they would know for sure ahead of starting mass vaccinations

[PMRpro in reply to Kelbol1]

The manufacturers will know and the study documentation that medics will be able to see and understand will say and the how to use instructions will give contraindications.

But don't hold your breath - the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is going to be used for healthcare staff first because of the difficulty of distributing it to surgeries and care homes and keeping the cold chain. Hospitals have the equipment - care homes and GPs don't.

[Spanielmadlady]

We are well down the list for vaccines so dont hold your breath.we are currently 4th in the queue.i suspect we will have to wait for advice from our consultants before we can have a vaccination so we will all have to be patient for sometime

[Kelbol1 in reply to Spanielmadlady]

I work for you NHS and they are wanting all staff to have it as soon as it’s given go ahead.

[PMRpro in reply to Kelbol1]

Meant to ask that! Get on the blower to the consultant - point out you need to know!!

[Spanielmadlady in reply to Kelbol1]

I dont see how they can expect you to have a vaccine we dont even know is suitable for us.surely with a such compromised immune system you should be at home until the appropriate vaccine is available

[Kelbol1 in reply to Spanielmadlady]

I was shielding for 5month been back into work but working from home again since November since last lockdown but they want all staff to have it if shielding or not suppose so staff can get back into work

[Spanielmadlady in reply to Kelbol1]

Ask OH maybe? Good luck

[Sezvic in reply to Kelbol1]

I work for the nhs also. I will need to find out when I get back. They can’t force you to take it, if you don’t want to. I know a few staff said they not going to take it.

[Kelbol1 in reply to Sezvic]

I would like to have it if I can try get back to some kind of normality!

[Shellys22]

I read people that's amino suppressed carnt have the vac due to it being a live vac I for one w9nt have it till I no it's safe for us

[PMRpro in reply to Shellys22]

It has been said that there are NO live vaccines surrently in clinical trials. One uses a live attenuated virus as a vector to carry the virus into the body - but it is a virus that causes a common cold in chimpanzees that has be altered so it cannot infect humans anyway.

[happytulip in reply to Shellys22]

None of the vaccines are live and so far it's been stated that all can be used on patients on immunesuppressants. It just might be that one is better for some than another.

[largesse in reply to happytulip]

Thank you for that xxx