I’ve had both of my vaccines but due to the current discussions about whether the vaccine works in people with blood cancer as well as in people without, I was looking into the option of getting an antibody test. Pure curiosity and also concerns due to the latest study driving me that way.
I have PV (ET?).
I’m aware that more research has to be completed to really give a better idea about how our response to the vaccine is. However, I’m seriously considering taking matters in my own hand and check for antibodies, knowing that even if the test is negative for antibodies, it doesn’t mean that i’m not protected. But it would feel good to have a positive test, wouldn’t it?
How are you guys feeling about this?
Has anyone done a test?
Grateful about any thoughts.
Nadine
Written by
Nay123
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I'm with you on this and will be asking my Oncologist about it on Tuesday when we have our phone appointment. I also would like to test and see how well the vaccine has worked on me with my ET and maybe the findings can help others with the same disease. I really want to go back to swimming at the local pool but having isolated myself for over a year and am cautious.
I’m planning to ask my Haematologist tomorrow as well but assume that’s something not covered by the NHS. I checked online and a test would cost around £50.
Let me know how you’re getting on as I will have to wait at least another week anyway as only had my 2nd vaccine a last week and I read that the test would only be recommended at least 2 weeks after.
I would get it to see how well I’m protected & how careful I need to be. But I have Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID) which means, among other things, my body isn’t able to create antibodies in response to the vaccine. But my immunologist said to get it anyhow. When I asked about getting tested to check for antibodies they said don’t bother, I won’t have made any. But if I didn’t have this disease I’d definitely get it. Covid is too dangerous to be careless if you don’t have the antibodies. And if you have them so many opportunities are available. If you have the test be sure someone knowledge tells you if you have a full or normal amount of antibodies so that you’re fully protected. Let us know what you learn if you get tested. Katie
I was thinking of asking my Haematologist to request an antibody test when I have my next blood test before telephone consultation which will be just over three weeks since I had my 2nd jab. I agree with you it would be good to know if, and how well we are protected. We can only ask. I have ET.
I’ve looked a little bit further into this antibody testing and also talked to my Haematologist.
He said that he would assume that my antibody response to the vaccine should be similar to those of healthy people and therefore stated there would be no need to do one.
I also listened to the latest online forum hosted by Blood Cancer UK where specialists where talking about exactly this topic and advised that the body might not only produce antibodies as a result of the vaccine but also T-cells, hence, an antibody test with a negative result or a result stating that there’s only a slight antibody response would not say much about the actual protection against COVID. There are several more studies underway aiming to find out a bit more about the effectiveness of the vaccine in people with blood cancer, including MPNs, as far as I understood.
So, my conclusion is that I will probably not have a test at this moment of time and wait and see what the new research results are going to be. At the moment, I am as careful as I’ve been over the last year and it’s not gonna change, even with a positive test for antibodies as a lot of others, including family and friends, do not have the vaccine yet and I would not want to put those at risk . Once I get to the point that I consider wanting more freedom, i might rethink my decision (eg when the pubs re-open 😝) but for now I’ll leave it.
catkinspolymer, I also learned about this and as far as I understood are those tests checking for antibodies produced after the vaccination are different to those checking for antibodies after an infection with COVID. Thanks for the reminder.
Just talked to my Oncologist and she said no. She must have been getting asked a lot because she was very abrupt, which is not like her. Said I should act as if I had not gotten the vaccine and keep up all the same precautions. And here I was going to start licking doorknobs.Be well, be joyful (if possible).
Per what my granddaughter learned in school it is people you are not supposed to lick. Apparently it is a thing in Alaska. They did not cover doorknobs. I expect Nay123 would agree it would be far better to lick the foam off the top a a nice brew at the pub. I am all in for that!
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