COVID and Pegylated Interferon

[AnitaJ]

At my last Haematology appointment the Dr told me that Interferon helps strengthen the immune system. I have also read that Interferon has been given to some patients with COVID to help with their recovery. I therefore wonder if the latest upcoming booster vaccination is required. Does anyone have any information about this? I presume the benefits of having it outweigh the risks but I would be interested in hearing other's opinions.

[George1976]

me personally I’m skeptical of that claim as I was told a several occasions that peg made me have a weak immune system. One example was when I was bitten by a dog a few years ago I had to get extra rabies shots because of being on peg.

In my case there has also been a suspicion that being on peg and catching a flu (possibly COVID) has resulted in long COVID. Net results for me was an extremely painful reaction to my last dose of peg 2 years ago.

conclusion: if you feel good on peg I would keep taking it but get a second opinion on that claim about its effects on your immune system.

[monarch5000]

Yes pegylated interferon alfa 2a (Pegasys) helps strengthen the immune system from viral infections, but not bacterial infections. Many long time Pegasys users, myself included, report they haven't had a common cold in years.

The "Interferon that has been given to some patients with COVID to help with their recovery" is not pegylated interferon alfa 2a, however, it's pegylated interferon lambda nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/N...

[lhammy66]

My immune system is impacted by peg and consequently I have had a few hospital stays so I would definitely keep taking the Covid shots- I continue to do so with no ill effects from them other than a sore arm for a day.

[Hopetohelp]

It wouldn’t surprise me at all if peg helps fight off viral nasties, but since it helps reduce our blood numbers our fighting white cells etc can drop too which could cause a problem if they become low. I guess it depends on individual’s results

[hunter5582]

Interferon is an antiviral agent but it is also an antiproliferative agent. It actually lowers the number of neutrophils which are vital to defense against bacterial infections. It also lowers lymphocytes that naturally fight off viral infections. We have to monitor our leukocytes to ensure that the levels of key leukocytes do not drop too low. Note that when you stay within target range (LYMPH>0.50, NEUT>1.00) your body can still respond adequately to infections.

Being on interferon therapy would not change the recommendation for any immunization, including COVID. The interferons would not prevent an infection even if they do help to cope with one. I plan to stay on schedule for all immunizations that make sense to me.

[AnBee]

I have not had a cold or flu since being on Peg for the last 3 years. Prior to that I was having a bad flu each winter for the previous few years.

You must balance up the known and as yet unknown side effects of the vaccine. As yet no investigation on the unexplained dramatic increases in all cause deaths upto 20% over the expected number directly from the the time they were introduced. No one can doubt the figures that show it doesn’t stop infection or transmission also. You must make your own decisions on this especially since the virus has regressed into largely cold symptoms. For some of us with MPNs the risk profile may fall on the side of taking it but not for others.