Benapali and the Pfizer vaccine

[Revita2020]

Hi I'm Danielle an got diagnosed with rheumatoid last year at the age of 40. I'm currently on Benepali injections and have my Pfizer vaccine on Saturday, I'm very nervous has anyone else on Benepali or another biologic had theirs yet? I know everyone reacts differently but just wondered how people felt after it.

[helixhelix]

Lots of people are nervous, and lots of posts about it if you want to search via search box top right. But they’ve all been fine.

This is the most useful guidance:

arma.uk.net/covid-19-vaccin...

I’m on Enbrel (the original version of Benepali) and I had my vaccine last week. Not the pfizer one tho’.

[runningbracken]

Morning, I havent been offered the covid vaccine yet but am going this morning to get the pneumonia jab. I believe its a lifetime vaccine. When the covid jab is offered i will be taking it. Am on the MTX injections currently.

[Boxerlady in reply to runningbracken]

You need to check with the nurse re the pneumonia jab - I think that it's every five years 🤔

[helixhelix in reply to Boxerlady]

For older people, yes...

[Boxerlady in reply to helixhelix]

And for us as we have it because of RA? 🤔

[nomoreheels in reply to Boxerlady]

No, the pneumococcal vaccine (PPV23) is just one off if you 'only' have RD. You only need the booster every 5 years if you have a spleen disorder or have a chronic kidney condition.

[Mermaid11]

Hello, im on benepali too but not had my vaccine yet. As soon as I am contacted I will be having it though. My friend is a nurse, I asked her what she thought & she put my mind at rest as they have given it to lots of cancer patients and patient's with autoimmune diseases. Everyone I know said its like the flu vaccine, sore arm the next day that's it. Maybe speak to your rheumatology nurse to see if she can make you feel at ease. Good luck x

[Brikel in reply to Mermaid11]

Yes and Yes. Last Friday . No problem apart from a small ache at injecting site that lasted a few hrs

[Revita2020]

Thank you everyone I'm new on here so still finding my way around it. It's reassuring to know there are people in the same situation and can help each other with advice and their experiences with it x

[rounder]

Hi there, I don't have benepali, but I take another biologic, abatacept. I had my C19vaccination 2 weeks ago, apart from a sore arm for 3 days I felt a bit off colour for 24 hours but was then absolutely fine. My GP warned me of these possible side effects and suggested paracetamol, plenty of fluids and rest, so I didn't worry.Hope your experience is equally positive.

[Mandalou]

Hi Revita I’m on Benepali and Hydroxychloroquine and had my first Pfizer Bi ontech Covid 19 vaccine back in December because I was a HCA for the NHS , my second got cancelled from its first scheduled appointment but that was quickly organised through my Trust for February ( obviously depending on supply, here’s hoping)

Only side effect for me was a sore arm that night, enough that I didn’t want to lay on it but all good after that.

I’m 53 with moderate/severe Sero negative RA. Diagnosed 2015.

Good luck and try not to worry, easier said than done.

My Mum is 94 in a care home and had her Oxford vaccine two weeks ago, breezed through that.

My neighbour who is post chemotherapy and her husband had the Oxford yesterday with no ill effects so far.

All the best. M x

[Nessa28]

I was offered the Covid jab for this coming Saturday . I was so excited till the nurse ran through some questions , it turns out due to the vaccine reaction I’ve had in the past I can’t have the Pfizer , I have to wait for the Oxford and as yet they have no stock. So it looks as though they are in the 70’s and vulnerable now in our area .

[bpeal1]

I had the phizer one last week (I’m on Rituximab). I had a slight sore arm for a couple of days but no worse than the flu vaccine. I was advised to take paracetamol and drink plenty of fluids which I did.

[Barrister]

I’m on Benepali and methotrexate and had the Pfizer vaccine this morning.Clemmie

[Revita2020]

Thank you so much for you're replies I really appreciate it. I know everyone responds differently but It's definitely made me feel more at ease and more positive about getting it. It was just the positivity I needed at the min as I'm such a worrier to begin with.

[kerryhannah]

I hope it goes ok. Can I ask a personal question... are you only on Benepali with no other meds or underlying conditions? I’m not expected to get the jab until group 6 but perhaps it’ll actually be sooner?

[Revita2020 in reply to kerryhannah]

Hi I'm just on Benepali and no other underlying health conditions or meds, they had me also in group 6 but I was advised by my doctor when I asked about it that being on the biologics that then puts me in the CEV category and was moved into group 4. Definitely worth questioning like I did as it states on the government website if on immuno surpressents you should fall into the group 4 category, however it is a bit confusing as it also says similar for group 6. Also Have you had you're shielding letter? I didn't get mine until quite late.

[kerryhannah in reply to Revita2020]

No I had a letter where I had to categorise myself so I was put into strict social distancing with Benepali, asthma and co-existing lung issues (which surprised me). I did shield in the first lock down and then had to go back to work as a secondary school teacher. Am obviously not physically in work at the moment but don’t think I’ll get the jab before going back. Will perhaps call later to see which category they have me in?

[Revita2020 in reply to kerryhannah]

I definitely would. If you type groups for the vaccine into Google then look at the government site it tells you the group's an also the NHS site tells you how you fall into which group. From what it says on there you should probably be in group 4 so I would definitely query it as it's only when I did that, they organised mine.

[Angels54]

Hi I inject but no vaccine yet , some people have experienced headaches and flu symptoms for a couple of days , people have told me to have a couple of paracetamol couple of hours later . Good luck

[Revita2020]

Hi everyone, I had the vaccine on Saturday and was absolutely fine. Hope this helps for people feeling as worried and anxious as I was about getting it 😊