Flu and Covid vaccine

[kali9]

I was diagnosed with lupus in March this year. I dont know if I should take the flu and covid vaccine.

I am scared it will make my lupus worse. Has anyone here take the vaccine?

[Spanielmadlady]

Hi Kali .I'm severely immunosuppressed as I take Prednisolone and mmf. I've had all my covid ,flu and a shingles vaccines without any real issues just the usual sore arm headaches etc for a day or so.everyone reacts differently so youve just got to weigh up the pros and cons for yourself taking into account how ill these virus could possibley make you x

[LuluM25]

Hello Kali9, Definitely have the vaccinations UNLESS you know you might react.

Most of us have been having Covid vaccine every few months since 2020 and flu vaccine each winter with no, or very little, side effects. I've had lupus and other secondary conditions for over 35 years and always had any required vaccines.

You don't have to have both at the same time, although I have with no ill effect, just usual sore arm etc. You can arrange to have them a week or two apart. Good luck with them.

[Nickymck]

Hi Kali.

I have had SLE for over 10 years. I am currently on Hydroxychloroquine and Methotrexate. I have had all the vaccines for Flu and 5 Covid vaccines so far, with only ttd ysual side effects of sore injection site and I had some stiffness in my arthritic joins ghiz last time. I am awaiting my shingles vacc.

I currently have Covid and whilst I am unwell, it is really no more than a cold.

Obviously it is your decision but I would strongly recommend you have the vaccines. x

[MariaVT]

Hi Kali9. I have Lupus and as my immune system is compromised, my rheumatologist advised that I have covid and flu vaccinations but not at the same time. She advised to take them a month apart. I had my covid booster last month and will have the flu jab soon. I had a sore arm for a few days after the covid jab but no other negative reactions. However, everyone is different and Lupus affects us all in different ways. Personally I want to protect myself as much as possible as I know that my body doesn’t cope well with any infections and germs.

[WinterSwimmer]

If it was me, I would take the vaccine. My experience is that getting ill with an actual virus makes the lupus flare. Being vaccinated might make me feel a little bit under par for a day or two. There is no comparison.

[Catkin-blake]

I would take the opportunity and have them, preferable as single shots though. I would dearly love to have them but unfortunately due to reactions (not lupus related) I cant have the covid one 😒

[Carcrashgal]

Kali9, I have had every Covid vaccine and booster allowed, plus flu and pneumonia. And will have shingles soon. As with rest, sore arms are the extent of my side effects. And as with everyone else, lupus is such an *individual* disease you need to weigh up the pros and cons for you, For me, I have lung and respiratory problems so the associated risks of Covid are far too serious to run any risks - plus, they didn’t just pull the vaccines out of the air: decades and decades of research and work have gone into every new vaccine so for me at least, it was a relatively easy choice. Good luck!

[rosebud52]

Hi Kali9, I have Lupus and I'm immune suppressed and have had the flu and covid vacs plus the shingles and pneumonia vacs, a bit of a headache and sore arm but other than that I was OK, hope this help with your decision. X

[Sunshine634]

Hello

I'm new to lupus too I was diagnosed with both rheumatoid and lupus earlier this year. I've had all vaccines I can have, I made the mistake of having my flu and covid vaccine on the same day, this did make me unwell but after speaking with my specialist I should have had them like a week apart.

My symptoms haven't got worse since the vaccinations, I work in care and often worry about picking things up whilst now on immune suppressants but I have been around people with the flu and covid and have been protected and fine.

Everyone is different though so it's really up to you, maybe speak to your GP and make yourself a benefits and burdens list to help you decide

Xx

[BrigidsFire]

8 vaccines here and will take any they offer.

Having ended up in hospital with Covid (lung problems due to lupus) and being the only person on the ward that was vaccinated (after 2 jabs), I can’t recommend it highly enough.

As I say, I was the only person on the ward who’d been vaccinated, and was also the only person who didn’t end up going to the ICU. Instead, I was monitored and sent home alive after a couple of days.

[Funkyweirdo]

Hi Kali9, I don't feel like I can advise either way, but wanted to share my experience. I am waiting for my first Rheumatology appointment and not diagnosed with Lupus yet though certain I will be. I have tested positive for antibodies indicative of lupus/Sjogrens and had symptoms for years. Anyway, I caught Covid beginning of October and still off work. Debilitating fatigue. Headaches, brain fog and just generally body aching and feeling unwell. Really set me back.

[Poshcards]

Hi, I have had 6 COVID jabs,a flu jab every year and 2 x shinglix jab this year, a few reactions but my rheumy insists I have everyone going x

[Sarahmac8312]

I have had both fluflu and Covid with in 8 days of each other no issues unlike last year when I had them on the same day. I have serve asthmaq

[kali9]

Thank you everyone for your replies. My mind is made up. I will take the vaccines.

[poseymint]

I have been diagnosed with Lupus/Sjogrens for a few years. Last Oct 2022, I was having a bad flare of neuropathy and painful breathing. I was afraid to take the Covid vaccine for fear it would make my symptoms worse. But I went ahead and had the Moderna bivalent vax and within 3 hours, just as the aches and mild fever of the vaccine came on, my Lupus/Sjogrens flare up went away. Such a surprise! I was in remission from those symptoms for nearly a year.

The flu vax made me feel kind of achey for a week, very mild and much better than having the flu. I’m also very careful to mask up in public. Stay well.

[Potatoheat]

I agree with all . Have had 8 vaccines , flu for years , only ever had a sore arm briefly. Of course it is your decision but we hear so much scaremongering in the media, never the good side which I guess is probably 99.9 % ! My one Covid attack was a few days of cold symptoms . Good luck with your decision.