VACCINES and RA

[CLANCASTER]

Hello All please would you give me some advice? I have been advised that I need a tetanus jab but it only comes with diphtheria and polio. As i have reactive psoriatic RA i am worried this vaccine will cause a fare...like every cold and gastric bug does. dies anyone have any advice? Thanks

[Hidden]

You would need ti speak to someone with more medical knowledge than us. Obviously coming of medication to enable you to have these injections could mean that you may start flaring again. It depends on what your on and how long you would be off. If i was told i needed the injection then i would go for it rather than have an infection, but that's me.

[helixhelix]

Yes, do ask your GP or rheumy for more advice as it isn't just that you have RA, but also varies depending on what meds you take. But at the end of the day it's your choice and you need to weight up the risk of a flare against the risk of getting another serious disease. Tetanus is very serious, so if you have a job or lifestyle that puts you in a high risk category for exposure to it, then do think carefully before you refuse. Polly

[mistymeana]

Please check this with your practise nurse. She is the expert regarding vaccinations as it's a big part of her job. As far as I'm aware there is a single vaccine available for tetanus as it's given at hospital in the event of a bad injury sometimes. Please don't go without the vaccine unless you really have to. Tetanus is not a nice way to go. I had a relative who died of it a few years ago as she was elderly and didn't realise her booster was overdue.

[earthwitch]

I've always had single tetanus vaccinations, but then that wasn't in the UK. You definitely do need to get some better medical advice on this, and if you can't have the triple vacc, then they should be able to order in the single one for you, even if it is a bit more expensive. If you live somewhere there is a travel medicine clinic that might be another option for getting it done, and they might have the single vacc.

For reference, I believe its just live vaccines that are problems with people with autoimmune disorders, but you do need to get the proper medical advice on this..

[summer32]

It is just live vaccines that are a problem eg oral polio drops, yellow fever are two main ones