i am curious. Do you get a flu shot? I am on ocrevus and neurologist says I should get one 6 weeks before my next infusion. I have never had a flu shot since i dont believe in them. I have heard too many bad stories. But now maybe i should get one. I would love to hear your comments, suggestions and advice.
Thank you
Jenny
had one a few years ago no effect, she who must be obeyed gets one every year, no effect. I am on Tecfedera she is on Copexone, Ocrevus I do not know. Get a second opinion to put your mind at ease.
My neurologist always encourages me to get a flu shot. I do. I have been getting an annual flu shot every year, for all my life. I am also on Ocrevus, and getting shot about 6 weeks prior to getting my infusion is not done because infusion is done at the end of August. So, I wait 6 weeks after my infusion and get my flu shot. I also receive the senior dose so that it can get the best protection against the flu. I rarely get the flu, or a cold, so it must be protecting me. Keep Smiling 
I do get my fly shot every year, i was on Ocrevus for 2 years in those peroids. Ibe asked my doctors offoce about the new Kesimpta (Ofatumumab). It like Ocrevus hits the B cells, how it differs is it is a once a month injection given by ypurself or caregiver. I left a message for my doc this morning and awaiting an answer. It was just approved by the FDA recently for RRMS, active SPMS and CIS. It is supposed to have less side effects so I'm really looking at it, very hopeful.
I have never gotten one and my neuro has never told me I needed one
You could not pay me to get one - NO, at any price. My nephew developed Guillaume Barre, paralised, hospitalised for two months, still with residual effects over a year later. Hmmmm. He, amongst far too many with horrible side effects, besides which, only works in a small percentage of persons, not only has it to hit the 'right' person, but also, the right virus for the year!!! Nope. No way. End of.
We stay fully immunized.
I have been getting a flu shot 💉 for 30 years. Been on seven different DMT’s with no side effects and haven’t had the flu. 👍🙏 Ken 🐾 🐾
It’s a good conversation to have with both neurologist and PCP. I get my flu immunization every year as suggested by both my doctors.
Especially with the pandemic, flu shots important. I plan to get mine mid September
I never get the flu shot. Nope never. I'm with Ruadh on the couldn't pay me enough part. Especially with the "pandemic". I can't remember the last time I had the flu. Been at least 8 years that I can recall. Likely longer though. I'm not an anti-vaxxer...I just don't believe what they are selling as far as the flu shot.
I have taken the flu shot for the past 3 years,i also never believed in one.the only thing they don't want you to do is to take a live virus,like shingles(i had the old one)I have dr appt this month for check up and I will be getting one.who needs covid-19 and the flu?I have had no reaction.....
I’m with Kenu. Been getting the flu shot all my life, along with the last 24 years I’ve had MS. Been on six different DMT’s. There are benefits and drawbacks/risks with each decision. For me, the benefits definitely outweigh the drawbacks.
Ditto to carolek572’s reply. I’m exactly the same other than she just completed her 6th infusion...I just completed my 5th in July.
This is one of those questions that gets differing answers based on knowledge & experience. I used to get one bc I worked w elderly population in their homes (pre-diagnosis & pre Ocrevus). I do not anymore bc at my first infusion when the pharmacist met with me I asked that exact question. She said it was pointless bc w the depletion of B cells, it would offer only a small amt of protection. I have seen studies stating the same since. She said it was up to me but if it was her, she wouldn’t. I figure w the statistics of them guessing the correct strains plus what she explained, I would pass. My PCP was also in agreement. I wish I had the links to the studies but do not. You could prob google them & share w your doctor to decide what is best for you. I’m wondering if it will be a similar case if/when they come up w a Covid-19 one?
Hi Jenny, I'm on Ocrevus too but I don't get Flu shots. Never have and at age 65 have never had the flu. But if you do, yes it must be done 6 weeks before or after your infusion.
Robsmom
Thank you all for your responses and advice. My neurologist says yes but i still say no. Too much unknown information for me to do it. With my luck i would probably have severe side effects. And if i dont i probably get the flu. UGH I wish i had the right answer. Thanks again
Having a flu shot doesn't kill people but catching the flu can. Catching COVID-19 can kill you but there isn't a vaccine yet. The last thing anyone needs is to get the flu and COVID-19 at the same time - it would probably be a pretty bad outcome if you did (i.e. far more likely to end up dead). And if you are in the USA your chances of catching COVID-19 are up there with some less developed countries, but this forum is not a place to discuss why the USA has done so badly with COVID-19.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome is more likely to result from someone getting the flu than it is from them havng had a flu shot - the flu vaccination has been shown to not be a cause of GBS.
nhs.uk/conditions/guillain-....
There is plenty of rubbish floating around about flu vaccines (e.g. Facebook pages and myths spread by social media "influencers" who are just ignorant and chasing notoriety and followers and "likes"), and not enough people are using reputable sources of info to make their decisions.
cdc.gov/flu/prevent/misconc....
And lastly, here (again) is up-to-date information on vaccinations from one of the reputable MS organisations.
nationalmssociety.org/Livin...
You make your own choices and you assess your own risks but don't get drawn in by those who do not have years of science and millions of dollars worth of research data to back up their recommendations. Facebook et al are not reliable sources of medical information.
I never used to get a flu shot until I had a bad case of the flu in 2008 that put me in the hospital for 10 days. Since then, I have not been able to work and had to file for disability. If you can get a flu shot and tolerate it, highly recommend it. None of my doctors or neuro recommended getting a flu shot to me.
Thank you. Its so interesting that half of doctor's and neurologists say yes and half say no
I always get one. I can't remember when I missed a year.
I don't get them.
I have never asked any of my neurologists but I am required to get it every year at work and have been for many years. I don't time it around my Ocrevus infusion due to just getting it when they are provided at work but it ends up being about midway or more between infusions. Been on Ocrevus since 2016 and no issues.
I haven't had a flu shot since they were the live virus when I was a teenager. It made me so sick. I vowed to never get another flu shot and I haven't. I keep my hands washed and stay out of crowds during flu season. I don't shake hands or hug anyone except family. And now with Covid-19, I don't even get close to people especially if they aren't wearing a mask. I haven't had the flu in 30 years and haven't even gotten a cold in over 4 years now. Neither my neuro or my PCP has told me I need to get one. That being said, a friend of my husband used to work for Merc Pharmasuiticals and even he said to never take the flu shot. It is made for the flu from the year before. Most of the flu viruses are pretty close to the same structure but they do mutate. That's why they have to keep coming up with a new vaccine all the time. And also the flu viruses are released on purpose periodically. They say on accident, my husband's friend says on purpose, but you can decide.
Thank you for your response. I really don't want to get a flu shot. I kind of feel pressured to get one. I do not believe in the government and there is usually something that is wrong with the flu shot after the fact. I am a little worried being on ocrevus now.
But i think i will pass for this year once again. I will distance myself from people more this year. Too much misinformation now. I will wait it out. Good luck to you. Thank you
I had stayed away from vaccines for years because when I was first diagnosed 25 years ago, my neurologist then told me to be REALLY careful geting vaccines. He said you never knew which bug would kick your immune system into over-drive. But my current neurologist said quite forcefully, "GET YOUR SHOTS!!! Get your flu shots! Get your shingles shot" He did explain that as long as it is the dead virus version, vaccines are encouraged. The ones he said to avoid are the live virus ones. But depending on your DMT, follow your doctor's instructions.
Thank you. I am still deciding if i am going to get one
MS Flu
