I am concerned. Abatacept injections kill my T cells that cause RA in me, and many of you. I have had two Astra Zeneca jabs and they pump T cells into the body to fight Covid. So I guess there is a battle going on in me. What I am worried about is that I may therefore have little or no immunity against Covid just as the country is opening up.
I was told that I could have any vaccine, but am now worried.
Is anyone else in the same situation and if so have you had any medical advice.
Many thanks for reading this.
Written by
Goldsky
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Many of us on the strongly immune suppressant biologic drugs are in a similar situation and equally concerned about our reduced immunity to Covid, in particular if we have Rituximab or it’s biosimilars.I don’t think it makes much difference which of the Covid vaccines we have had - the problem is with all of them to a varying degree.
There are a number of studies underway to find out how much our Covid immune response is reduced - OCTAVE is one of them and due to report very soon.
Meanwhile I suggest you take extra care. I’m going to avoid mixing with people indoors and will continue to wear a medical grade mask in such situations.
Exactly my tactics. There is a Lancet article Volume 3 Issue 7 that shows we will have a much reduced response to the mRNA vaccine. Nothing in it about the DNA one but we already know that getting vaccinations is recommended before starting immunocompromising drugs, and that we should wait months after receiving infusions of RTX so B cells might be there too.
Definitely. It is a stressful time. My response above was to Lolabridge. The report mentioned ie OCTAVE should be informative. We must keep in mind that experimental vaccines (and any new drugs) need three years for safety issues to be fully reported. Take care and stay safe.
I think don't overthink things! I have RA, and a number of auto immune diseases and kidney failure and so already know that if I get Covid it's not likely to be a good outcome but the vaccines are new so studies are ongoing and they will eventually cause a herd immunity in the major population. Having said that of course we have to be careful but the whole country can't be kept at home to protect the minority, thats not to say we aren't important but it's a balance and so many are suffering financially and educationally. So my view is I'll continue to be careful, will wear a mask in shops and on public transport and will get the booster when its offered. I think in reality life must go on and this is an area of science that is so new that we just have to trust the medical advice, in my case that was " the right vaccine is the one going in your arm" and everyone I know with CKD has had the Phizer. I'm not sure that helps and others may feel differently but I've had two procedures in the local hospital in the past 2 months and felt safe and Covid secure it was the same more or less in the local big shopping centre with masks but not so much social distancing, however I did not feel it was unsafe as I could move away.
It may be people are getting complacent so we all just have to protect ourselves in any way we see fit because life has to return to a new normality eventually. And of course people do die Covid or not , sadly it would appear Covid is here to stay so I have to accept that I'm at risk and adjust my behaviour because I'm sure some others won't and no amount of regulations will stop that.
Thank you for your advice medway-lady. It just helps to know lots of us are in the same boat. I have heard today that the government is going to send us specific information. But in the end we just have to do what we can to protect ourselves. Best wishes.
AKA 13 has posted the findings from PHE on the effectiveness of the vaccines on the immunosuppressed. I'm on Cimzia which does the same thing-hits the T cells. My rheum nurse told me to stop my injections 2weeks before and after the Covid jabs ( I had the Astra zeneca) to give them the best chance to work. Of course we are all different- she felt it was ok for me to do so as I'm in remission and have very little pain at the moment. Maybe it would be worth checking with your rheum department?
Thank you for that MadBunny. It is concerning me, I may ring Rheumy’s but I think they will say just make sure you do what you can to protect yourself. Best wishes.
Yes I can understand that it concerns you . I was concerned too, when I learned how the vaccine works on the immune system. I hope that you will be able to get more advice from your rheum department. I spoke to my nurse back in December before the vaccinations had really got under way, at that time very little was known about them. Maybe NRAS would be able to help? I have continued to follow the guidelines of sanitising a d washing my hands, wearing a mask and social distancing. I have been in shops and on public transport but have not socialised in groups, just seen one person occasionally. At all times I've taken steps to protect myself.And so far I've been ok 🤞
I wish you well and hope someone can give you some reassurance 🐰
Thank you MadBunny for your lovely message.I rather think it will now be down to us as individuals to be responsible for ourselves. Apparently the government are going to issue us with advice, but I will definitely keep wearing a mask and keeping my distance whilst still enjoying life.
I was on Sarilumab when I had my first Astra Zeneca jab and had switched to abatacept weekly injection before second dose. I am under the Rhumatology dept in Leeds and was not told to stop any treatments before vaccinations. I have also been taking part in a very long standing study (been in it for over.20 years) of ra patients and treatment and quality of life (Manchester university) who invited my to take part in the vaccination effects on ra patients study. Off to provide my third set of bloods on Tuesday.
Good for you Tkat, that study will hopefully help us all.Just got to try to keep ourselves safe haven’t we.
Hi all.I am now trying 3rd biologic, Abatacept & Methotrexate. had AZ vacs. stopped meds 2 weeks post vacs.. I am due for TKN imminently so paid £50 to lloyds pharmacy for test including spike protein.
As long as test result between 0.8 & 2500 you apparently have antigens. mine was 1291 !
BUT they do say they cant be sure whether result affected by meds so as previously said...continue to take precautions
Hey Goldsky,I read about prednisone reducing antibodies after the vaccine too. All we can do is hope hey! I just had my first dose of Pfizer yesterday so fingers crossed. I am in Australia so it’s nothing at all what you lot are facing there in the UK or the US but for me it was still a no brainer to get a vaccine.
We can only control the things we can... face mask, keep outside where possible and stay away from other humans where you can!! Good lock. 😊🌸
Thank you Wannabeabago, you are right we can only protect ourselves as far as we can and hope our immunity from our jabs, as much as we have, stops us getting it.Your government are very strict aren’t they, one case and you are all in lockdown. Our daughter lives there too.
They have certainly handled it differently to most other Governments. One of our States not has more than a few hundred cases amd there’s a partial lockdown there.
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