More on vaccines and Ocrevus

[erash]

I spoke with the Genetech pharmacist (for 30 min) this AM and here's the scoop on vaccines:

-Per the PI, no vaccines recommended 6 weeks prior and no live or live attenuated vaccines recommended at all

- she cited the study identified by Raingrrl multiplesclerosisnewstoday.... but agreed with my interpretation that this study only indicates there is less of an immune response when vaccines are given to someone on Ocrevus. It does NOT identify ideal timing for vaccines.

-Vaccine immune response returns to normal once B cell repletion occurs at sometime after you STOP taking Ocrevus. But that time has not been determined (I would imagine it's somewhat individual) and there is no literature identifying when Ocrevus reaches its nadir (or B cells are the lowest b/w infusions.

Interestingly, we discussed a study of 825 people on Ocrevus that received live or live attenuated vaccines (MMR, Zostavax) and the immune response was the same as an individual not on Ocrevus. BUT of course live/live attenuated vaccines are a risk for causing relapses in MS and are generally not recommended.

P.S. I told her to tell Genetech to study this more

I feel like some of the supposed experts make stuff up

[carolek572 CommunityAmbassador]

Hey erash,

Excellent post and

Thank you for your efforts with receiving vaccines. This info is especially timely since the Flu season is almost upon us.

Experts making stuff up? Nah

Keep smiling,

Carole

[erash]

Oops that should say B cells at their highest not lowest😜

[jimeka]

Thank you erash , good post. 🦋

[greaterexp]

Thank you! That clarifies things...I think! I guess we'll keep learning as time goes on. We probably never really know everything there is to know about any drug.

[MS_Indestructible]

thanks for the excellent post and pressing for answers. Though I am not on Ocrevus, I believe they also would apply to my Rituxan therapy. So I thank you for your inquire and post of the responses you receive. Keep up the good work ~terry

[Raingrrl in reply to MS_Indestructible]

Terry...I’m thinking Rituxan and other B cell depletion drugs should be similar in the affect on vaccinations. But I’m not a medical person and don’t pretend to be one. 🙂

[MS_Indestructible in reply to Raingrrl]

I agree

[erash in reply to MS_Indestructible]

Terry how often is rituxan given?

[MS_Indestructible in reply to erash]

once every 6 months

[Raingrrl]

Thanks for pressing for answers erash ! I agree that the study doesn’t identify the ideal timing for vaccines while on Ocrevus. It was just my own thinking that there should be some point closer to the time of the next infusion that would give you maximum vaccination affect while on Ocrevus.

I asked my neuro about this awhile back and got a “we don’t know the optimum time” answer. He said it would be studied. Since there are other B depletion drugs like Rituxan in circulation, it’s very weird to me that this is unknown.

[erash in reply to Raingrrl]

I think your assumption makes sense. Makes u wonder if the 12 weeks was arbitrary or a reasoned choice in the study and why Ocrevus is given every 6 mos (suggesting this is the optimal time to assure B cells remain depleted?)?🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

[Mymarcus2010]

Thanks for this article..Im in agreement.

[Juliew19673]

Thank you!

[hairbrain4]

That's good to know for those who get vaccines. I haven't gotten any vaccines at all since I was dx in 2005 other than tetanus. I never got them before either. I had one when they were the live virus once & got so sick from it I never got any more. I haven't needed them. Don't have kids at home anymore & grandkids are grown. I don't go shopping much during flu season & when I do I don't put my hands anywhere near my face until I have had a chance to wash them after touching door handles, grocery baskets etc. I don't get sick either. I always try to not touch door handles at church, restaurants & stores. If I have to touch them I use a tissue or paper towel. I'm not a big germX fan, it's more dangerous than not using it because it absorbs it into the skin, also takes away any good bacteria. I'm just cautious & it works for me.