Covid jab spring 2025

[Sanga]

hi all. Just a quickie. My haematologist in uk is recommending I continue to have the Covid vaccination.

what’s the wider view on this please.

I have PV and on Rux for the last 12 months

Thanks.

[mazeoffire]

The second shot I had actually went some way to relieve my Long Covid symptoms so much that I was able to go on holiday. I know people tend to talk about negative effects but it’s certainly not the case for me. I think the current virus is nowhere near as bad as the early versions, plus people have some acquired immunity, but for me any infection has the potential to floor me (I have fibro as well). I’ll speak to our nurse practitioner next week to see how I can get the shot.

[Sksarj]

Hi SangaMy Gp surgery rang yesterday to inviting my husband and myself for a COVID jab. We have booked in to have the jab but probably would not have bothered if they had not rung.

We have also received emails asking us to get the jab also.

[DougyW]

Hi Sanga. I get the jabs. The risk reward equation is clear to me. Social media emphasises the risks but doesn't talk about the benefit.

[mazeoffire]

This is an interesting read. Scientists have discovered that rux might lead to new ways to prevent VITT (vaccine induced immune thrombocytopenia).

birmingham.ac.uk/news/2023/....

[MissLesley13]

IHi I've just booked my spring vaccine also.

[RoundTheWorld]

Hi Sanga. I'm taking up the vaccine again. It's a personal decision based on my own perceived balance of risk-benefit. I was surprised to be offered it at this time of year but appreciate being given the choice.

[Rem31]

I’ve taken up the invite and had all previous jabs offered. I’m out and about a lot, frequently use crowded public transport and not yet had the virus so far as I know.

[ERei in reply to Rem31]

They say everyone who has been in contact with other ppl has had it by now. Sounds like you were very fortunate in that your case was so mild you didn't even know you had it! Lucky you!

[MWxxxx in reply to ERei]

I dont believe that is true. I have never had covid either. I am very careful and still wear a mask in busy indoor spaces and have had all the vaccines. I am 100% sure I have not had it yet but I do believe that everyone will get it eventually.

[hall2]

I’ve booked mine.

[Amethist]

only you can make the decision. I find it interesting that if you hadn’t been contacted you probably wouldn’t have bothered. I know a lot on here have taken it with no issue and happily continue to do so. Some have taken it and it has caused problems, some severe.

The video clip is from a medical person who has looked into this topic in great detail, looking at the studies and has also interviewed many other health professionals . It’s just 20 mins so not too long . It might help you think of some questions for your haematologist, if you are still undecided. m.youtube.com/watch?v=pPvMy...(Not working as expected?)

Take care.

[Scaredy_cat]

II'm 72 and got an invitation because I've had a sct and no longer have a functioning spleen. My husband who is also my age is too young for the funeral invitation

[Rastavapa]

Personally I've not had a single jab for COVID ever, I have had ET for 25 years and MF for 7 years. I am at my most healthiest and fittest I've ever been during my disease.I don't do social media I just observe friends and family around me see how they got on with it and some common sense and made my decision early on.

Take it easy

Nick

[Nmom in reply to Rastavapa]

My son has ET. No one in our family got the Covid vax. We all did well with Covid- no issues. We all continue to be healthy! Nice to know someone else on this site is unvaxxed.

[Banjoswami in reply to Rastavapa]

Your comment reflects my own state of being. I’m 71, hiking everyday, staying healthy in diet and nature’s solitude. Never a Covid vax

[Ccsintx in reply to Rastavapa]

I have never had any of the Covid vaccines and I’m out and about all the time.

And have been just fine. I have had PV for five years.

[azaelea]

My husband and I received an invitation from GP’s and have booked for two weeks’ time. Last Spring we decided not to have the jab and we both got Covid at the end of May. I had it very bad and ended up in hospital. We therefore bitterly regretted our decision to forego it last Spring. I have ET JAK2 on Hydroxycarbamide.

[Phil1955]

hi I’m in Tuesday for my 9 th vaccine I’ve had a splenectomy jak2 positive coronary artery disease so I’m all for it

[MaggieSylvie]

I've received an invitation from the surgery, but the last time, they gave me Moderna and flu jab. I was unwell for a couple of days. So this time, I'm going to contact the pharmacy instead to see if they are still offering Pfizer, which doesn't affect me. They say it's good to change brand to give more protection but I can't afford to lose days out of what is left of my life.

[TTA_]

I'm all in for having my spring booster. My immune system is not stellar and any step to reduce the risk of severe illness if infected is welcomed. The booster does just that, reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation and death if infected.

Your hematologist knows what is safe for you. If they recommend the booster, probably it is wiser to listen to their advice.

[ainslie]

I have had 3 jabs and won’t be having more, I am on Rux for PV high dose, havnt had covid yet and no flu for decades and one cold per year. My personal view for me is the upside isn’t worth the risk of potential downside.

Of course it’s important to state that what suits me doesn’t necessarily suit others.

[Gipsy123]

Sure. Why not? Its only partially effective, but it all helps.

[saltmarsh]

This came up recently in another post. I'm 78, PV for the last 5 years, and taking HU. I am not into over- medication at all but I get a covid booster every 4 months. While there are isolated incidents of poor response or illness, the overwhelming evidence supports the efficacy of the mrna vaccines. The risk reward clearly favors the vaccine based on the macro numbers. However, at the end of the day it is your decision. Good luck and stay healthy

[Loubprv Volunteer]

HiI m similar, PV and Rux

Will definitely have the spring vax which will be my 8th I think ....

I take what's on offer beit flu, pneumonia, shingles or COVID.....Louise

[CooperS1]

Hi, I was contacted by NHS Last week inviting me for a Spring Covid jab. I’ve booked mine for Tues this week. I’ve had all the other vaccinations as and when they’ve been offered. I have MPN PV/ET and take hydroxycarbamide / low dose aspirin daily, and all blood counts are in the normal range and am classed as ‘stable’.

Personally I’d rather have the vaccinations than risk a bad experience with covid. I know of someone personally, with no health issues, who had covid and was seriously ill, needing to be ventilated, and induced coma etc etc and to the point where she was not expected to survive, but thankfully she did.

I’ve had covid twice (to my knowledge) and both times was just like a run of the mill cold/cough - I’d like to think because I’d taken the vaccine option. I’ve had no ill effects from the vaccines although last Autumn I had the covid and flu vaccinations at the same time, and felt a little flu/cold like for a couple of days.

So all down to personal choice, but covid is still out there and, having recently had a pretty nasty, and very long lasting cold/cough, I’d rather not get covid, or only a mild dose!

Take care all x

[Lemonverbena]

hi sanga, my haem encouraged me to get it as she said rux not so good outcomes with covid. no idea where that came from, but it did help me make a decision.

[EPguy in reply to Lemonverbena]

Rux has been associated with lower vaccine response,

onclive.com/view/covid-19-v...

MF had lowest response, with PV then ET offering better responses. But this report also states that MPNs separately from Rux can reduce response.

But there is a surprise buried in there suggesting getting Covid before the vax was quite good for vax response, even in MF, this has been called hybrid immunity:

"Of all patients, 2 with primary myelofibrosis had anti-N IgG antibodies, indicating their exposure to SARS-CoV-2 prior to their first vaccine dose. These patients had a high post-vaccination antibody response, of 1333.9 BAU/mL and 6901.5 BAU/mL."

But esp early on getting Covid was a bad idea, our household got the original strain at the start, it was ugly.

--

On Rux while infected, it's actually been proposed as a treatment for severe Covid, I don't think it came to a lot since there are no obvious fresh reports, but had implications of anti-inflam benefit here:

nature.com/articles/s41375-...

But your Dr may be connecting the reduced vax response to lower outcomes.

[Kelly2]

I have never had the covid vaccination! Since it does not protect and it recurs what's the point? And what about the clots that they say it is dangerous? No not for me! The last two years I didn't even have the flu vaccine!

[EPguy in reply to Kelly2]

It does normally reduce the severity of Covid if one gets infected and reduce the odds of long covid. Long covid is a large risk factor for autoimmune disease among other things. These are the key reasons to get it. You're correct the covid vax does not prevent near all infections in contrast to some other vaccines but it does have these well established benefits. And you should appreciate that you have the option, I don't.

[Sanga]

thanks everyone for your helpful thoughts and EPguy for the information and research on having Covid vaccine when on Rux and with PV

Taking all into consideration I’m going to have this spring Covid jab. Very useful to think it through. Thanks for all your responses