Flu Vaccine.

[juneann]

One of many dilemmas as a RA sufferer...Due my Flu vaccine on 20/10 but I have just read that it has little effect when givenw wthin 6 months of RTX. On 20/10 it will be three nonths since my last RTX. Thoughts please.

[Scottishlad]

Sorry what is RTX?

[Ginger46 in reply to Scottishlad]

Rituximab-biological infusion

[Pam-51]

Hello,

I have the same dilemma this year. Had my Rituximab last month and the Rheumatology nurse visited during the infusion. She advised not to have the flu jab as it would be less effective when given soon after the Rituximab. I have been on Rtx for 10 years now and have been having flu jabs for the last 15-20 years and have not had flu during this period.

Doing my own research on the subject my conclusion is that OK, the flu jab may be less effective but if it offers some protection then I want to have it. I also suffer from hypogammaglobulinaemia induced by the Rtx, which means that my immune system is impaired and I have weekly infusions of IGg to treat this. This is a further reason I feel to take advantage of the flu jab, as anything which will help me combat infections is welcome.

Seeing the Immunologist tomorrow and Rheumatologist later this month and will seek further advice from them, but my inclination is to have the flu jab. What about you?

Best wishes Pam

[EricaN in reply to Pam-51]

It is actually against the CDC policy due to your immune system.

google.com/url?sa=t&source=...

[nomoreheels in reply to EricaN]

The flu vaccine we're recommended to have isn't a live vaccine Erica so that info isn't relative to us. In this instance this may be a helpful read cdc.gov/flu/about/season/fl..., "Standard flu dose shots" applies.

[EricaN in reply to nomoreheels]

Who Should not Get Vaccinated | CDC

cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/should...

[EricaN in reply to EricaN]

Doesn't look like the CDC cares if it is live or not.

[nomoreheels in reply to EricaN]

Yes it does! As I understand it it's quite clear. It says that you should not get the live vaccine if you have a weakened immune system. Having a weakened immune system isn't one of the listed ones advising not to have it under the inactivated recommendations, hence we can have (& should have) the inactivated flu vaccine.

[nomoreheels in reply to EricaN]

You need to check the recommendations under Influenza (inactivated) vaccine not the Influenza (live) vaccine. Because we have a weakened immune system we need to be protected against the flu virus, hence being immunised with the inactivated vaccine. If you'd like to learn of the possible risks of being immunosuppressed & not having the flu jab have a read of this everydayhealth.com/rheumato...

[Simba1992]

Here some information. Seems like if the flu shot taken within two months of taking RTX it will not have effect. With Mtx the two weeks pause after the shot increases effect from around 30-50%.Useful info here.

healio.com/rheumatology/inf...

[oldtimer]

The influenza jab is to stimulate your immune system into producing antibodies against various types of influenza virus (which are predicted to be most likely to occur in the next winter). Then if you come across the virus again, your body is primed ready to make the antibodies and does so very quickly.

If you are very well immune suppressed in order to control your Rheumatoid Disease, then your body is not going to do this so much.

It is a disadvantage but for most of us we are not so immune suppressed that we won't have some response to the immunisation. If we have some response, then our bodies are ready for that pesky virus from that person coughing all over us in the queue.

[EricaN in reply to oldtimer]

google.com/url?sa=t&source=...

[juneann]

Fair point oldtimer.

[Gillian1163]

I asked my consultant the same question when i saw him earlier this month. I had my infusion on 17th August and he thought I would be fine to have mine when they became available in October. Last year my infusion was at the end of September and he advised a delay to later in November. My GPs saved me one

[juneann]

Hi all, Spoke to my nurse specialist yesterday and she has advised that I speak to my GP and get them to save one for me as late as possible. Ideally six months clear of RTX but that would make it January, by which time we may already be in the middle of the flu season. I may try for November time or as late as they're willing, at that rate it could be 40% effective.

[VeronicaF]

you can get one in boots in uk, you pay 10 pound that way you can have it later than when the doctors give them out

[juneann]

Thanks VerionicaF, I never thought of doing it that way, I wonder if Boots will keep readilly available stock outside of a small window of time.