Flu, shingles and pneumonia inje tions

[Arlescote]

Has anyone been given advice on having any or all if the above injections while taking Methotrexate. I take 10mg once a week and 5mg of Folic Acid once a week and I am not sure if it is safe to have the injections- thanks

[Hidden]

I was advised to have the flu and pneumonia. Nothing said about the shingles

[KittyJ]

You should speak to your doctor for their advice Arlescote. They know you and your medical history so are best to advise you😊

[helixhelix]

The shingles vaccine is a live vaccine, so not suitable for you. Generally it is only given to healthy people between 70 and 80 years old.

The other two are regularly given to people on MTX, but as ever ask your own doctro.

[nomoreheels]

Not live ones. Flu & pneumonia are safe & recommended as they’re both inactivated, shingles is another story. However, you are on quite a low dose so should you need to your Rheumy team may ok you having the shingles vaccine. Always ask though, we don't know if there could be any other reason for you not having it, your GP would probably be the med prof you'd see first if you've need to have it.

[JulezH]

I think the shingles one is a live vaccine so that is a no no. I have had the other ones just fine.

[AgedCrone]

You can have flu & pneumonia non live vaccines.

You should consult you Rheumatologist about Shingles as the rules are a bit convoluted!

[Jackadoodle]

Hi, I am on MTX and Benepali, and have had Flu,Shingles, and Pneumonia injections on recommendations from my Rhumatoid Consultant.

[Magicgrandma]

Think they would probably say no to shingles. My husband is on methotrexate, only 7.5 per week. I was offered the shingles vaccine and they were unsure at first whether I could have it because as others have said it is a live vaccine and there was a slim chance he could have caught it from me just by being vaccinated. In the end I did have it as they said it was better for me to be protected than get it fully because then he would most probably have caught it as well. Talk it through with health professionals.

[Hidden]

The flu and pneomonia jabs are safe, but I think the Shingles one is a live jab which we should avoid.

[5halifax]

I had the Shingrix vaccine which is a non-live shingles vaccine while on methotrexate. I also get my flu shot every year.

[Chance_chance]

At the doctors I attend they like you to stop the methotrexate for a week before the pneumonia injection, that's what I was told last year. I would phone to check. Hope all goes well for you.

[RAreyna]

I inject 25mg of mtx one a week and take 2mg folic acid a day. My rheum doc said I could get the flu & shingles shots. I got the flu jab last week and had no problems.

[Kmb953]

You can have pneumonia shots. 2 in your lifetime is all you need.. And the flu shot. But shingles is a live vaccine and those of us with RA must stay away from it since our immune system is compromised...

[medway-lady]

Yes to all 3 I've had shingles last July it is so painful. Been advised still have the vaccine when I get to 70 I'm now on permanent antivirals as it can come back and it still hurts, burns and itches.

[dgray78377]

Yes, I have taken the flu and pneumonia injections. Haven't been able to afford Shingles injection as of yet.

[medway-lady]

I had Shingles last year it was awful and am too young to have got the vaccine. The pain was so awful I was prescribed Pregabalin for several months. I have flu vaccine every year and pnumonia was a one off I'm on AZA and I'd beg for a Shingles vaccine the disease is so awful. I hope that helps. x