3rd Covid vaccine for some - will be Pfizer. This is NOT a Booster vaccine.

[Moomin8]

news.sky.com/story/covid-19...

I don't know who's making the list - I'm just hoping I get on it having Rituximab and Methotrexate 🤞

[Loz224]

JCVI have published more comprehensive criteria of who is eligible for the third dose: gov.uk/government/publicati...

Looks like it’s anyone on biologics, or on methotrexate at doses of >20mg per week. Plus people on certain doses of steroids.

[crashdoll in reply to Loz224]

This is all over the place, when people only on biologics were not even considered in the clinically extremely vulnerable group in the first place!

[tangolil in reply to crashdoll]

Hi crashdoll - at the very end of this report there is a rather telling paragraph which advises that the Specialist should inform the GP of the patient's need for a 3rd dose of vaccine so the responsibility for recommendation of patients is on the shoulders of our Rheumatologists.

[GinnyE in reply to Loz224]

Thanks for posting this link

[PP01 in reply to Loz224]

I wonder how they worked out the cut-off for each dose. I was on 15mg mtx at the time so I’m not eligible in that case which I guess is fine given this whole exercise is a bit of a stab in the dark anyway but still leaves me wondering whether the mtx affected my response at all.

[madme1 in reply to PP01]

Id check that because I'm on 15mg of metho and have been invited as the letter said I was eligible.

[Deminem in reply to Loz224]

Hia,I cant see where the JCVI mentions those on Biologics specifically as eligible, am I being thick?!

I see it where it states those on non-biologic immune suppressants, and the umbrella term people on immunosuppressants but can't see biologics listed separately?

[Hezekiah in reply to Deminem]

Hi Deminem, JCVI doc mentions "biologic immune modulators" which is (probably) medspeak for biologics.

Because pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/210... says that

"Targeted immune modulators, commonly referred to as biological response modifiers or simply biologics, are a relatively new category of medications used in the treatment of certain types of immunologic and inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis. "

Hope that

a) I've got this right

b) it helps

[Marionfromhappydays]

Just read the government's recommendation on this and it basically says they don't really know too much;How many antibodies are enough 🤷‍♀️ , if a third vaccine will really help 🤷‍♀️ but they say it can't hurt to have it 😳

Well I'm up for it, I had the Astra zenica first time and I think the Pfizer has a higher efficacy so I would be happy to have that this time. Probably get a sore arm again but hey.

Hope it does help

[medway-lady in reply to Marionfromhappydays]

I had Phizer and read the report. Don't pretend to understand it but as on AZA I can see its on the list but I'm going to continue to be careful and as I can't buy it or ask for it I'm just going to have to wait. Oddly though I did stop the AZA first time round and the Benapali and got dreadful side effects. As AZA is used in kidney transplant patients as well and I could not get hold of RA team I did ask my Nephrologist he said continue to take as the difference will be so minimal to the vaccines efficiency. And the A&E doctor said the same don't stop it for the second one. So I didn't and got no side effects. So in short its so muddled and complicated. So will I get Moderna who knows ? some of these reports are going out too quickly and worrying people who really might have nothing to worry about and giving a false sense of security to those who do. I'm confused ! lol x

[Azzure]

I’m on 22.5mg methotrexate but the Second Pfizer jab gave me shingles so I do not want it !!

Messed up my immune system and I caught covid before either jabs last December and fortunately was fine.

[Moomin8 in reply to Azzure]

Oh no!😱

[jezebel53]

Thanks Moomin8, I'm on 20mg Methotrexate and 4mg daily Baricitinib, I have rheumatoid arthritis and COPD so I'm guessing I will be offered the 3rd dose of Pfizer jab?

[BoneyC]

Don't think I'll get a 3rd dose - I reduced from 20mg MTX to 17.5mg recently and I don't take steroids or anything else other than HCQ.

[Kracker55]

I’m on Taltz for my Ankylosis Spondylitis so I had my third shot a week ago all is well.

[Moomin8 in reply to Kracker55]

Interesting 🤔Which area are you in - if you don't mind me asking?

[kerryhannah in reply to Kracker55]

That great news and really quick- where are you based?

[Chrissycl in reply to Kracker55]

Can I ask how you booked this please as I had my invite tried 119 and websitevand was told they dont do bookings for the 3rd dose

[Ascidian]

No third jab for me, then - I had only just started to add mtx to my sulfasalazine at the time of the first one (i wanted to hold off until after the jab, but rheumy said no), and was on 20mg mtx by second jab. Not overly worried though, as I definitely reacted to my second jab!

[Twitty999]

Me too 🤞🏼🙏🏻

[Chockyuk]

I’m on 15mg of Mthx, but I work in a 6th form college, and students are constantly testing positive. Only last week we did enrolment, I was drafted in, even though I’m on immune suppressants, then we found out the students were being given LFT’s on their way OUT of the college 🤔 which seemed to be completely back to front? It’s a worry, I would like a 3rd vaccine or a booster, it would make me feel much safer.

[Moomin8 in reply to Chockyuk]

That's absolutely ridiculous!! I'm so sorry to hear that you've been put in that position. I'd speak to HR and see how they can look after you better. You have a right to feel safe too.

[Chockyuk in reply to Moomin8]

Yes it definitely is. A few people who have autoimmune conditions in work were also drafted in, one lady has Lupus and is on more meds than me. Ludicrous.

[Moomin8 in reply to Chockyuk]

HR Monday x

[Moomin8 in reply to Chockyuk]

How did you get on with HR?

[Chockyuk in reply to Moomin8]

Ok, thx for asking. Just reiterated my condition, so I don’t have to do face to face now if I don’t feel it’s right. They just don’t think as we all look ok on the surface (the curse of autoimmune 😖).

[Moomin8 in reply to Chockyuk]

Well done you 👏🏻

[Chockyuk in reply to Moomin8]

On the plus side, I’ve also applied for a 4-day week from 5 days as my fatigue is through the roof. They didn’t make it easy, had to wait 5 weeks before it went to the Governors, but I requested an OH assessment and the nurse who did it was amazing and supported me 100%, so Friday I got the go ahead. As much as the drop in money is going to be difficult (I’m separated pending divorce, so only have my income at the moment), it’s worth it for me as 5 days plus travel is a killer.

Our health is our wealth. 👍

I’ve never appreciated that saying so much since I was diagnosed with RA 😔

[Moomin8 in reply to Chockyuk]

Proud of you 😇

[Denise64]

Hi yes I found out today that my 3rd jab Pfizer vaccine followed by a booster in 4 weeks time xx

[bienassis]

Hello Moomin8

Yesterday I was called by my anti-TNF Nurse to say I should cancel my booster appointment (booked for next Tuesday) as there is a possibility that the booster is not adequate for those on biologics. I will need a third primary dose - to give more protection - I will hear more next week when the Nurse phones again. My first two vaccines were Pfizer.

I take methotrexate and infliximab.

I wonder if anyone else has been advised about this.

bienassis

[Moomin8 in reply to bienassis]

Thanks for letting us know 🙂I haven't been offered anything yet 🤔I'm worried that it will be on top of my Rituximab infusion in November, because I know I have to leave 4-6 weeks gap. I'm on 22.5mg methotrexate as well. Why isn't there joined up thinking in our care???? What's an anti-TNF nurse? I don't have one of those...

[bienassis in reply to Moomin8]

Hello Moomin8

The anti-TNF drugs (like infliximab) were some of the earlier biologics. Biosimilars have been introduced cutting the cost of the original. I started on one late in my rheumatoid career. My career started in 1967, and my first infusion of this drug was in March 2020.

TNF is a protein in the immune system that, in excess, causes inflammation and flares. So the idea of the anti- TNF is to suppress this excess. It is taken in combination with methotrexate.

The hospital I go to has an anti-TNF clinic with nurses specialising in the drug - its administration, side-effects, doses and so on. I haven't attended the clinic in person as yet (thanks to the covid pandemic!) but I have telephone consultations and these things are discussed and evaluated. Rituximab is not an anti-TNF drug - it suppresses the B cells I think. and is not taken like my injections of infliximab every 2 weeks (I changed to injections from infusions last November).

So far, I'm getting on OK - except for a bit of a skin problem (mild eczema) and muscle pain (that's very unpleasant).

I agree with you when you say it's not easy to know what is going on - I come across bits of information by chance - usually through this forum. And what a learning process it is!

bienassis x

[Moomin8 in reply to bienassis]

Thank you for your concise explanation 😊I have had Cimzia and then Idacio (Humira biosimilar), both of which i injected every 2 weeks. I didn't see an anti-TNF clinic. Unfortunately, they didn't work - neither is my Rituximab so far 🤷🏻‍♀️Sounds like your hospital are on the ball! 👍

[bienassis in reply to Moomin8]

Well, the hospital has its good points, but since my rheumy retired in April no replacement has been found. Not good, but at least the rheumy nurses are on the ball. So many doctors from GPs upwards have taken early retirement since this covid business.

I do wonder where we are going, the world has turned upside down!

We're about to have an early supper - just like all oldies; my husband is preparing something and I'm about to find out what. I do have an exiting life, you must admit!!

Take care,

bienassis x

[Moomin8 in reply to bienassis]

😊

[Twitty999]

I'm on Rituximab & Methotrexate & have my 3rd vaccination on Thursday.... wish someone would tell us the actual chemical difference between a Booster & a 3rd Dose 🤷‍♀️

[Georgiab123]

NHS said when he rang me asking if I’d had 3rd jab that’s in stock now it didn’t seem important to him which one we got

[Moomin8]

That's good. I really don't think it matters, unless you have an epipen or similar. Moderna can be given if you have a severe allergy to something. I had Pfizer, and my husband had Moderna 🤷🏻‍♀️