Booster or 3rd Primary?

[Gilliancheche]

I am on 20mg MTX and after the first jab was given 2 steroid injections to try to settle a bad flare. Then after the 2nd jab had a 3 week course of steroid tablets. Now I am on MTX plus COSENTYX (biologic) . Notsure if I need 3rd jab and booster, or just booster. Cannot seem to get answer from anyone.

[Runrig01]

It looks like you may just miss out. You have to be on >20mg of MTX. Also the short courses of steroids have to exceed 4 weeks, and there is no mention of steroid injections, but it is unlikely to exceed the equivalent of 40mg per day. It is all based on the immunosuppressants you were on at the time of your first two vaccines, so the cosentyx wouldn’t come in to it. You could contact your rheumatologist and see if they will be flexible and allow it as you are so close to the eligibility criteria. The other option is paying for an antibody test, which might give you some reassurance, and if it came back low would perhaps persuade your rheumy to agree to 3rd vaccine.

Here’s the criteria for 3rd dose

gov.uk/government/publicati...

[Ascidian]

Hi Gillian. I think it will all depend on the timing and dose of your steroids. The key for getting the third primary seems to be what drugs you were taking BEFORE your jabs, because it is all about how well your immune system responded to the vaccine, NOT about how ill you might be if you catch covid. MTX at 20mg doesn't qualify, but when mixed with certain doses of steroids it does. The cosentyx won't be relevant because you are starting it after your 2 primary jabs, so it doesn't alter your vaccine efficacy. Having said that, some people on 20mg mtx and nothing else do seem to be getting the third primary. It is quite difficult to interpret, but the relevant rules are in sections 3 and 4 of this document gov.uk/government/publicati...

[Neonkittie17]

This may help :

immunodeficiencyuk.org/what...

[bienassis]

Your 3rd vaccine will be a primary - like the first 2. It is, rather awkwardly, called a "booster" - a bit confusing. I had the 3rd this week and spoke to the nurse giving it - - pfizer - and she confirmed it was a primary vaccine. Another coming up in 6 months.

I take 10mg of methotrexate and a biologic (infliximab).