HOPE for immunosuppressed?

[tangolil]

Has anyone heard of Evusheld? AstraZeneca's growth of Covid antibodies in lab given by injection to those who have not responded to the vaccines. Supplies are low but is this hope for the future?

[nomoreheels]

I have, but it's not been rolled out fully yet in the UK. It's given as 2 injections & intended as a preventative in a similar way to the current vaccines but only for the severely immunosuppressed & those in the same group who didn’t respond sufficiently enough to all 4 jabs. As it is when it is rolled out only those considered suitable for it will be contacted. It remains to be seen if any of us will be seen as suitable as what I understand the first lot has been given to cancer & transplant patients. It does seem quite effective though.

[tangolil in reply to nomoreheels]

Yes, nomoreheels, it does seems to be promising. Fingers crossed! Thanks.,

[Lolabridge]

Yes I read about it and told my Rheumatologist who hadn’t!I think it’s available in the USA but not here yet.

[tangolil in reply to Lolabridge]

Let's hope it arrives very soon - we could do with it! Anything to improve our chances is to be welcomed, Lolabridge!

[Finnbert]

How do you find out what your personal response to the vaccine is? Last summer although shielding I did go to eat outside in pub gardens. After one of these few trips I discovered I came down with shingles although I have had the shingles vaccination. I would really like to know what my response has been to the COVID vaccinations now I have completed my course of 4.

[tangolil in reply to Finnbert]

Yes, Finnbert - I so agree! I don't think there's any way of discovering one's response ... I was told, this week, by my GP, that there's nothing in place and they have no directives for testing. We live in ignorance and hope ...

[liveinwoods]

You should ask for an antibody test. That should give you insight into your response to the Covid vaccine.

[tangolil in reply to liveinwoods]

Hi, liveinwoods, I did ask my GP and the reply was given that they had no directive and no tests to reliably ascertain the response of the individual to vaccination (which statement I took to cover antibodies). Was I wrong to assume that is the case? I have just checked the gov.uk site and the antibody test available does not prove that one is protected against being infected with Covid 19 so I am still at a loss as to making a decision to 'ditch' all precautions as the general population is advised to do later this month.

[liveinwoods in reply to tangolil]

I take Rituxin so I was concerned about my response to the Covid vaccine. I requested a B cell test and that indicated that I had no C20 B cells. That is the component in your B cell that is needed to generate antibodies when you get a vaccine. You might request a B cell test.

[tangolil in reply to liveinwoods]

Thanks for your advice. I did mention testing of the B and T cells to my GP but that was the response I received (above). I shall try again but, as you advise, just ask for a B cell respons test. I am indebted to you liveinwoods.