Jabs

[ChillyAsh34]

Looking for feedback I have ET

and JAK2mutation I was diagnosed end of June 2021 I had no symptoms and still don't my platelets we're 520 and now 445 i guess I have probably had it for a couple years I went through covid and thank goodness did my get it been double jabbed I am now getting inundated with phone calls from my GP surgrey to have flu jab pneumonia , shingles I have never had flu jab and I am not sure what to do now I don't want jabbing with every jab going I am on 75g aspirin and 500g hydroxycarbamide a day and feel great I don't want to start feeling ill after having this jab that jab advice please

[Superwoman]

Hi Chillyash, I have ET JAK 2 positive since 2013, I always have my flu jab, also had the pneumonia last year, being giving just once over the age of 70 and once every five years under 60, I had pnI had no side effects from either. But as for the shingles jab as its a live culture we with MPNs its not recommended so have never been offered. I have just had my consultation with my Haematologist and all my bloods are in the normal range, she was very pleased, I take Hydroxycarbamide daily and a thousand on Fri, Sat, Sun again with no side effects, in fact I even have antibodies from the Covid jab

[DJK12 in reply to Superwoman]

A non live shingles vaccine - Shingrix - was licensed in the UK just at the beginning of this month. Details are on NHS sites. There are two spaced jabs plus advice seems to be to leave 7 days between it and a covid one so if there are side effects you can tell which one caused it. My son had shingles on his forehead, not only very painful but threatened his eyesight so I'm keen to have it when eligible.

[Superwoman in reply to DJK12]

Great will look into Shingrix with my GP as they have not offered it to me, why I do not know.Jean

[DJK12 in reply to Superwoman]

I guess as it's so newly licensed the GPs are probably not up to speed with Shringrix and may need nudging to check NHS update - hope you can get it soon.

[Superwoman]

Sorry my I pad fell off my lap🤦‍♀️ So did not finish after 60 should of said, as a young girl I had pneumonia was very unwell for many months so did not want to sample that again.And now as I now have some antibodies I am looking forward to the booster jab to boost them even more.

Jean

[hunter5582]

I have had the flu jab every year for many years. It was never an issue when I had ET not after it progressed to PV. It was also not an issue when I was on hydroxyurea. You just have to be sure not to take a live vaccine when on HU. The flu jab is way better than getting the flu. Likewise with pneumonia and shingles, I do think it makes sense to space them out rather than getting them together.

[Ebot]

Hi. I’m assuming if you’re being offered the shingles vax you are over the age of 70 (???). It’s great you’re feeling so well. The aim of the vaccines is to keep you that way.

From your post you seem to say you’ve been double jabbed with the Covid vaccine and are thankful you did. I’d see the annual flu vaccines and the one off (depending on age) pneumonia and (non live) shingles vaccines in exactly the same light. Yes, you might have a sore arm for a day but I’d rather that than getting sick with any of those infections.

Covid has rather overshadowed the very significant numbers of people, especially older people, who are hospitalised and / or die from flu or pneumonia and their complications every winter. Personally it’s not a risk I’d want to take (and I don’t automatically qualify for the pneumonia and shingles jabs though I did just get the former). I’m very happy to take whatever is offered to prevent me from getting seriously sick. I want to feel as good as I can with my PV. Keep well.

P.S. I do wonder why you’re on Hydroxy given your relatively low platelet counts but again maybe this is because of your age

[Oscarsboy]

Like you on same meds exactly and my platelet count has just come back at 445. Had both covid jabs and also flu jab last few years before i knew i had ET but know now ive probably had it two years. I have also had pneumonia and shingles jabs previously. Just for reassurance no adverse affects.

[ChillyAsh34]

Thanks for feedback everyone

[EPguy]

The Shingrix vax has been licensed in the US for several years. I'm about to get #2 which is to be 2-6 months after #1. I had the live one years ago but it doesn't work that well so they recommend the new dead one. My Dr suggested it be 1 month apart from the 3rd covid vax I got recently.

Important detail: they suggest you do it on a Friday or other day that you're free to stay home. It has more side effects than many other vaxes, and hurt more going in than the covid vax. But my brother had shingles so it is real for me and Shingrix is something like 90-97% effective. Flu jab is less effective but still worth it. Someday they will use the new tech in covid vaxes to make the flu jab better.

Jabs are good, disease is bad. I had covid and long covid same time ET took over.