Covid-19 vaccine

[Dan24melfi]

For those of us on Ocrevus and who would like to take the vaccine for covid-19, there is very little information if it is safe for us. Since Ocrevus wipes out the B-cells and are immune system is comprised. Should we take the vaccine?

[Iona60]

My neuro is expecting Genentech to inform her of which vaccine will provide the best benefit for those on Ocrevus. Based on her advice to get the flu vaccine as close to 4 weeks as possible prior to my infusion, I expect that the Covid vaccine will have similar timing requirements. That will make vaccine time June for me. She advised not to delay my January infusion and to wait until Genentech completes their testing. Hope this helps.

[ahrogers in reply to Iona60]

This is my plan as well since my infusion is scheduled Jan 15th. I am able to get the vaccine next week because I work in radiation oncology with immunocompromised patients we are priority group 2 and group 1 got theirs last week. It wouldn't be enough time to get the second injection before my infusion so I will wait and get the first in May and second in June so my body can hopefully build up immunity before the July infusion.I don't want to postpone my infusion as like you said the crap gap is starting to show, more fatigue than usual so far, and I don't want it to get worse.

Looking forward to see which vaccine Genentech thinks is best too!

Praying these vaccines are really as effective as they have been in the clinical trials so we won't have so many seriously ill or die from COVID. My bosses 22 year old daughter who is healthy was very sick in the hospital on high flow oxygen. Thankfully she didn't need to be intubated and was able to go home after 5 days in the hospital.

Until then I wish people would stop complaining about having to wear a mask in public or physically distancing to prevent the spread. You never know who it will make very sick or kill. Even some who survived have lingering health problems. Not something to take lightly or treat like the flu as too many are doing 🙁

I pray all of us here don't get it or have a mild case if they do 🙏

[kdali in reply to ahrogers]

Ty for sharing!! This plan makes sense to me! Please let us know how your first shot goes.

[ahrogers in reply to kdali]

Ty for your input! Having a fellow nurse agree with my thoughts is comforting 😊 I will just continue wearing a mask in public another 6 months, no big deal to me. We still have to wear one at work even if we get the vaccine.

[kdali in reply to ahrogers]

I’m glad to have you to think about it with also! I might be wearing a mask forever, and yes, none of the policies will change here either anytime soon regarding PPE.

[Iona60 in reply to ahrogers]

I wonder if the vaccine will work if you get part 1 in May? Won't you still have too many B cells?

[ahrogers in reply to Iona60]

Good question! I need to get both in before July so will do one at the end of May and the other at the end of June since they are a month apart. I am going to ask my neuro for more precise guidance when I see him next. Hopefully by then Genentech will have provided some guidance.

[Iona60 in reply to ahrogers]

I just posted a link from the UK MS society that states that the Covid vaccine will probably only be 50% effective for someone on Ocrevus and not to delay any Ocrevus treatments, unless it's the 1st treatement.

[Dan24melfi in reply to Iona60]

Thanks, I just got my eighth infusion on Ocervus today. I will worry about the effects of Covid-19 vaccine tomorrow.

[Dan24melfi in reply to Iona60]

Thanks for the reply

[greaterexp]

Everything I’m reading indicates that since the vaccine is not a live vaccine, it is safe for us. I think the main question is timing the immunization for the best effectiveness, as Iona60 stated. I’ve read that the vaccine may be far less effective for those on DMTs like Ocrevus, but I don’t have the link handy.

If the vaccine becomes available to me, and I am considering Ocrevus, I will think about waiting to start it until at least a month after any immunization.

There’s a lot of info to wade through, so I hope your neurologist helps you.

[IFwczs in reply to greaterexp]

I hope Ocrevus becomes available for you. Please keep us posted. If you can find that link again about the vaccine being far less effective for those on DMTs like Ocrevus, please post.

[greaterexp in reply to IFwczs]

I’ll look tomorrow for that link!

[greaterexp in reply to IFwczs]

youtu.be/u2HvpAOGGbg(Not working as expected?)

I'm sorry I can't find the printed article, but Dr. Boster relates essentially the same info here. You may want to skip to around the 18 minute mark.

[IFwczs in reply to greaterexp]

Thank you very much.

[IFwczs in reply to greaterexp]

I guess 1 month before the infusion, the vaccine should work.

[IFwczs in reply to greaterexp]

Also, very informative video, thank you.

[Iona60 in reply to greaterexp]

greaterexp If you start Ocrevus, you may have to wait until one month after the 2nd vaccine dose. For me, it may mean having to postpone my infusion by one month, which will put me in the "Crap Gap" for 2 months. Oh, NO!😲😲😲😲

[greaterexp in reply to Iona60]

Thank you for the heads up!

[Iona60 in reply to greaterexp]

Hopefully, we'll all receive some guidance.

[greaterexp in reply to Iona60]

My PCP seems to keep up on MS-related things better than my neurologist. I hope we can all stay safe from this virus one way or another.

[kdali]

I get to discuss with my neuro in a few weeks and report back. I’m sure it’s a conversation that’s happening often.

[Iona60 in reply to kdali]

It will be interesting to hear the opinions of all the neuros.

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Thanks for posting this I have been thinking the same thing unfortunately so has my neurologist who says she hasn't been able to get a definitive answer either, but she suggested that in her opinion I should probably go ahead and get it when I can in case it provides any protection, still debating as I also have allergic reaction to honey bee stings. Robert