Thought you might enjoy seeing my minder Jack .The main reason for my post is, does anybody know if it’s ok to have a shingles injection ? I’ve checked with my surgery but they are waiting for Rhumatology to get back to them. The NHSwebsite say that people with cancer, aids or have their immune system compromised shouldn’t have it. I’m on Humira. Any thoughts?
Regards Mike+ Jack
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Matalow
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Yes Nettac, we rescued him last year we were told he was a border collie but have been told that he looks as if he has Kelpie in him. His behaviour certainly confirms this.
Hiya Mike. Well, I hope you've not been put at risk of shingles it really don't. This is from the NRAS website
Guidance issued by the British Society for Rheumatology (BSR), based on the Department of Health ‘Green Book’ on immunisation suggests that until further evidence of safety is established for the Zostavax shingles vaccination, it would not be recommended to anyone taking a biologic drug for rheumatoid arthritis. Patients on some of the non-biologic DMARDs (such as methotrexate) may be able to have the vaccine, but if you are invited to have this vaccination, please check with your rheumatologist first. If your rheumatologist is considering treating you with a biologic drug you should ask your rheumatologist whether you should have the Zostavax shingles vaccine before starting this type of treatment.
My rheumatologist recommended the New Shingrix vaccine which is NOT a live vaccine like Zostavax. It’s also significantly more effective at 90%. The Shingrex vaccine was just introduced in Canada in January and I had my first shot in February - it’s a two stage vaccination process. I was miserable with a fever and flu like symptoms for 24 hours after the injection but I will still go ahead with the second shot as my response wasn’t unusual. Note that the only DMARD I take is Methotrexate and I don’t know about the safety of Shingrix when on a biologic. Perhaps you could consult with your rheumatologist. Good luck with this!
I have SLE and cannot have the shingles vaccine as it is a live vaccine, I have had SLE for over 25 years and only found this out in the last 6 months at a Lupus Info Day! x
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