J&J vaccine effectiveness with Ocrevus

[gulfstream40]

I'm 73 taking Ocrevus. Has anyone taken J&J COVID vaccine? If so have you seen any increase in symptoms or disability?

[twooldcrows]

no i haven't taken any of the covid shots ...no ...sorry ...

[gulfstream40 in reply to twooldcrows]

For what reasons have made you decide against getting a COVID vaccine. Thanks for your response

[twooldcrows in reply to gulfstream40]

they came up with them without the normal years of using them in trials for any problems ...i look at also for we are taking drugs for our MS and i also have drugs shot into an eye to keep my vision...i don't my body can do anymore ...love and happiness in what ever your choices are ...enjoy life ...

[kdali]

I was on Kesimpta and in the middle of a clinical relapse and had just finished steroids when I got the JJ vax. I didn’t notice anything MS wise. I had a horrible glandular fever as a kid and it felt very similar that night, but the next morning I was fine. The steroids may have blunted any MS nonsense it could have caused, but I took something for fever as a precaution before bed and never noticed a fever. Hope this helps!

[leking1]

I just had my 3rd (booster) shot of Pfizer with no side effects from the vaccine or change in MS symptoms!

[kwhompus]

I have PPMS and have taken the J & J vaccine with no side effects whatsoever. My MS doc said that the authorities in the know will soon make recommendations about booster shots .

[gulfstream40 in reply to kwhompus]

Are you getting Ocrevus infusions? Thanks so much for your response

[kwhompus in reply to gulfstream40]

yes, last week was my 9th infusion w/ Ocrevus

[ahrogers]

I am on Ocrevus. I had my infusion mid January and the J&J shot mid April. I had fatigue that that started a few hours after the shot and lasted a few days. My hubby experienced fatigue also but his only lasted a day.No change in my MS symptoms.

I am glad I got J&J as it looks like immunity was higher 8 months than it was at one month out. So if my body did manage to mount an immune response I should still have the response. So far there are no recommendations for a booster if you got J&J.

[gulfstream40 in reply to ahrogers]

I really appreciate your input. My fear is the J&J will make the Ocrevus less effective and not give maximum benefit to slow the progression of PPMS. That's the dilemma I keep thinking about. I don't want to speed up the MS progression but I don't want Covid either. I really want to enjoy my friends and family again and not have to stay away from them. Do you have any further thoughts. Thanks again.

[ahrogers in reply to gulfstream40]

As far as I know the vaccines don't decrease the effectiveness of Ocrevus but Ocrevus can decrease the effectiveness of the vaccine.I too felt continuing Ocrevus and keeping MS under control important. I know some people postponed Ocrevus to get the vaccines or out of concern for a worse case of COVID before the vaccines were available. I decided to stay on schedule and get the vaccine 4 months after so there would potentially be time for the immune system to get to the point the vaccine would work and far enough before the next Ocrevus to give it the time to do so.

There is not enough data out there to know the best timing and there is no guarantee of developing an immune response. My neuro recommend not waiting to get the vaccine but I wanted to wait for the J&J vaccine and the timing it came available worked out well. I am hoping since I did have fatigue after the shot my body was able to develop at least some antibodies. I still take precautions when out in public though. I haven't had a titer drawn so do not know if I am covered at all.

Everyone just has to go with the decision that seems best to them. I hope you find comfort in whatever decision you make.

[wolfmom21fl]

The one thing I know about the J&J vaccine is that there is a risk of blood clots to the brain. The risk is seen in women who have been on hormonal birth control. IDK if that risk extends further than the women on BC

[Neworleanslady]

I plan to get a Moderna booster tomorrow, a month and a half before next ocrevus infusion, at the recommendation of my doctor

[Becky63]

I’m 58, took J&J. No problems!

[Cutefreckles72]

I took my last Moderna shot in April and had my 6th Ocrevus infusion this month August. And I haven't had any problems. Everybody is different.

[agate]

Had the J&J vaccine nearly 2 months ago--no problems except for a slight sore arm. I'm taking Copaxone. I understand that those on Ocrevus need to talk to their doctors about how to schedule the vaccine to coordinate it with the Ocrevus so that there's no weakening of the effect of the vaccine.

[kycmary]

Hi I'm on Ocrevus I had the phiser vaccine back in May my Neuro said to plan it so I had at least 2 weeks after the vaccine before my infusion. I had 3 weeks & did fine sore arm from vaccine & no problems with my infusion, that was June here it is August still doing good. Praying everyone does good. kycmary