Covid vaccination & biologic medication

[Jacqbox]

I have abatacept infusions every 4 weeks, as this is a biologic medication does anybody know if I can still have the Covid vaccination & if so which one. I am very confused as there is very little information available

[allanah]

Yes lots of info. Look on posts here under vaccinations and on nras.org.uk there is a web post about vaccines .

[Jacqbox in reply to allanah]

Thank you for your help. I will take a look

[Neonkittie17]

Look for the NRAS Zoom chat with a senior London rheumatologist recently on this subject and look at the NRAS info on their making page and also the National Society of Rheumatology website. We have had lots of posts on here if you do a search on here at the top of the page for Covid vaccine and ...... (your med) something specific might come up. The Zoom vaccine/meds chat is on their page and also on YT. I’ll try link you to that NRAS Zoom chat from YT. I’d clarify with your rheumy/nurse re yourself but the rheumy on the Zoom chat said it was safe for RA patients to have the vaccine. For Rituximab there will be some juggling re timing of vaccine and Rtx infusion. If you have other health matters too as well as RA you should discuss with your consultant. Just to be sure.

[Jacqbox in reply to Neonkittie17]

Thank you for your help. I’m new to this site so hadn’t seen what had been put on before. I will take a look

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Jacqbox]

Still trying to find that YT link for you.

[Neonkittie17]

fb.watch/30LQs6weiM/

Hi Jacqbox, hoping the above link works for the NRAS Zoom chat held a few weeks ago with Dr James Galloway, senior rheumy at King’s College hospital, London re RA/meds and the Covid vaccine.

[Jacqbox in reply to Neonkittie17]

Thank you so much for your help. I have now seen the zoom chat & it was very helpful

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Jacqbox]

You’re welcome .. it was Allanah who originally brought it to our attention and we’ve both re-posted the link for others as it does help so much and I’m glad it was helpful to you.

[Bessieboo1]

I have abatacept weekly injections and I had the Pfizer vaccination last week. I wouldn’t have minded which vaccination I had, just extremely grateful for having one of them.

[Jacqbox in reply to Bessieboo1]

Thank you so much for your reply, very reassuring. Like you I am don’t mind which vaccine I might be offered but somebody had mentioned that there might be a problem with having the Oxford vaccine if you are immunosuppressed

[Bessieboo1 in reply to Jacqbox]

Forgot to say that I didn’t get any side effects either except a heavy achy arm for a couple of days. I hope you have your vaccination soon. Xx

[rounder]

I inject abatacept weekly and had my vivid vaccine on Wednesday. My rheumatologist sent out an excellent presentation online reassuring patients on biologic meds that the vaccines are safe. I had the Pfizer vaccine. Happy to report that apart from a sore arm no real side effects.

[Jacqbox in reply to rounder]

Thank you so much for your reply. I am 67 so guess I will have some weeks to wait for the vaccine

[HanaleiBa in reply to rounder]

Do you mind sharing where you accessed Pfizer? I can register now and would like that one for efficacy. I’m near London, but can go anywhere.

[KittyJ in reply to HanaleiBa]

You won’t be given a choice HanaleiBa.

[Goldsky]

Hi Jacqbox,I have Abatacept injections and my Rheumatology team have told me to have any vaccine I am offered. This I will do. Hope you get yours soon.

[Jacqbox in reply to Goldsky]

Thank you so much for your help, it was very helpful

[14penny]

Totally aggree, I got conflicting advice from rheumy and doctor ? so I had to guess and have stopped all biologics for two weeks as I had the jab last monday and have had a load of side effects from it but have been left with ulcers on tongue and down throat which makes me fight for breath every now and then but I have been told it will suddenly go - fingers crossed but I do think everyone has to get the jab as soon as they can I have heard a lot of people do not get any side effect at all, Good luck

[Jacqbox in reply to 14penny]

Thank you so much for your help. I hope you feel better soon

[Hidden]

Hi, I had the first Pfizer jab last week as I work in the nhs. I had a pharmacist Dr do mine, he said there were no issues with me having it whilst on biologics & Dmards!

I had no side effects except a sore arm for 36 hrs or so.

Fingers crossed it is effective with our compromised immune system but I have faith-it’s worth the risk!

[Jacqbox in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for your reply, it was very reassuring