Lupus and 4th Vaccine

[Turquoise1999]

Hiya Everyone

I have Lupus SLE

I posted about getting a 4th vaccine letter in the post. Now my doctor has told me I need to get the 4th.

I am in two minds of getting it.

I feel as if we are going to be constantly asked to take another one.

Does anyone have any opinions on getting it. Or has anyone had it ?

[Prunes]

I have SLE and I had no hesitation over getting the 4th jab. As to whether we will continue to receive covid jabs other than annually with a flu jab I have no idea. Today Boris has indicated that all rules will be abolished later this month so we will be "living with covid". This may influence your decision.

I see you are considerably younger than me so you have youth on your side should you decide not to have it.

Maybe speak to your GP or consultant and ask for their input.

[Jerg in reply to Prunes]

I am in 2 minds about this 4th injection, I have being diagnosed with SLE since 2005, had the 3 Covid injection and now a letter to get a fourth.I am wondering if this is necessary.

[Oshachota in reply to Prunes]

Hope you are keeping well . I had my fourth vaccination last week and had no side effects. I’m 69 years old and had no hesitation about getting it.All the best. Keep well and safe.

[Prunes in reply to Oshachota]

Thank you. That's very kind of you. I had no problems after my fourth jab other than an achy arm for 48 hours. Take care.

[Dustb in reply to Prunes]

Like you I am older. 66. I have been invited to have the 4th vaccine, and I will be taking it, for the reasons you mentioned. I am still very worried , the virus is still out there.

[Tanitani]

I hate to say this but I dont think the vaccine works as well with omicron. Maybe wait for when they start with a more current vaccine.

[Christineosh in reply to Tanitani]

Having had three jabs my husband and I both got Covid at Christmas and still have the cough and tiredness. So not sure what to do as wonder if having had it you build up your own anti bodies we are 78

[Tanitani in reply to Christineosh]

Im sure you two built up your own antibodies. Hope your cough and tiredness goes away soon.

[Mimi1900]

I had two Phizer and had severe ongoing flare. The hospital system my doctor was at pushed a third dose last Aug 21 (refused) and a booster in Oct21. Refused that.

[Hamptons]

Had it and had big reaction which showed me my immunity had gone despite 3 vaccines and having had Covid and LC. As our vaccines don’t give full immunity I recognise the need for top ups like we do with flu jabs each year. Personally, I was grateful but we all have to work on our evidence and judgements to make decisions that are right for us.

[Dartsnerd]

Hi, I had my 4th yesterday and didn't hesitate to say yes when I was rung. My first 3 were Pifzer and the 4th was moderna. Feeling fine this morning. 😌

[Lily77]

I had my fourth yesterday! Just a sore bit on my arm and nothing else just like the other three. As usual, it was beautifully organised and the staff and nurses were lovely to me. I think it is an incredible effort and I feel so looked after and grateful.

[Trixie01]

I had my fourth yesterday, I’ve now had 2 Astra Zeneca, 1 Pfizer and 1 Moderna. I had zero reactions to the first three but the one yesterday us left me with a temperature and a doozy of a headache. I was told by my specialist that I needed my booster before they would allow me to have my rituximab infusion so I didn’t really have much choice, however I work in a high risk environment so would have had it anyway now that they’ve announced there will be no isolation for positive cases.

[MrGrey1234]

Hi I got told my my Rhumatologist nurse that, even though I've got SLE, im only on hydroxychloroquine, so I won't need a 4th covid vaccine

[Chris21]

Hi Turquoise1999, I think only you can make that decision on whether it’s worth having 4th vaccine. Ask and answer yourself these, How have you been living the last 2and a bit years? Are you going out and about as normal? Are you still wearing a face mask? How do you feel about covid and what it could possibly do if you caught it?I have a flu jab every year, have had 3 vaccines, not entitled to 4, would I have it? Yes I probably would. Why? Because all the vaccines I’ve had haven’t caused me a problem other than an achy arm. Have they helped me not get covid? 🤷‍♀️

What ever you decide is your choice. 🙂

[Rosiaz in reply to Chris21]

Thank you . It is helpful to read your comment as these are the issues I am considering and am in the position you describe. On top of it are grumbling cardiac events and worries.

[Chris21 in reply to Rosiaz]

So what have you got to lose, if you decide to get it done? Did you have any bad reactions to the 3 you’ve already had? 😉

[Rosiaz in reply to Chris21]

My hesitation today is that I'm about to telephone the GP as I am having what may be a cardiac event.Complicated , as there is to be a last walk in vaccination clinic locally this Saturday , and I thought I 'd go and ask if they could give me a booster jab.

[Chris21]

See! You already have the correct answers 😉really good advice you’ve given yourself in speaking to the GP. I hope everything’s ok with your cardiac event. Good luck!🙂

[Cas70]

I have Discoid Lupus and Sjogren’s and have no hesitation in having the 4th jab or any that follow

[Minnie2000]

Hi, I had my 4th vaccine a couple of weeks ago. Didn't hesitate as have lupus and am recovering from breast cancer surgery and treatment. Had Pfizer for first 3 and moderna for the 4th. Felt fine after. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[A-r-c-h-I-e]

Due my 4th jab on Friday but have asked not to have Moderna just in case. So far I have had 2 AZ and Pfizer booster without problems. I did have Covid at New Year but without the LFT I would not have known which I understand is thanks to the booster. Take all you are offered !

[Yellow92]

I've had 4 COVID Jabs and not noticed negative side effects apart from my arm aching a little. The arm felt fine the next day. I have a fear of needles, so that caused me a little trouble but no issues with the actual jab. I'm worried about getting COVID, as I am on a few immunosuppressants, and have issues with my lungs/lung capacity, therefore I've taken every pre caution I can to keep safe. Hope you decide what's right for you to keep safe.

[lingdings]

I was planning to speak to my rheumatologist about this, since I had my third dose only in November. I also received the letter about being eligible for new Covid treatments in the event of positive test and symptoms, because I'm on MMF. From what I understand, it's less that the lupus indicates for additional vaccine doses but more the degree of immunosuppression we are under at the time of receiving our doses. Those who are on a higher level of immunosuppression might have a more blunted immune response, hence the need for additional doses.

From this BMJ article bmj.com/content/376/bmj.o30

"The UK based Octave (Observational Cohort Trial T Cells Antibodies and Vaccine Efficacy in SARS-CoV-2) study, which found that four in 10 people who were clinically vulnerable generated lower concentrations of antibodies than healthy recipients after two doses of a covid-19 vaccine. The follow-up Octave Duo study, data from which have not yet been published, has been looking at the effect of three doses."

Because of the medication I'm on, I'm inclined to get a further dose at some point. My main question for my doctor is whether it's better to wait for a vaccine that's more effective against Omicron, as having five doses within a year or two seems quite excessive.

[Tanitani]

Probably the best proven method is N95 masks anytime indoor with strangers.

[Poshcards]

all I can say is lucky you, I should have had mine about 4 weeks ago, no gp phone call, so I rang them, could not get past receptionist to be told by her, they are not giving out information! x

[Spanielmadlady]

I had my 4th vaccine on 22nd January without hesitation .I'm steroid dependent and immunosuppressed