hi. Probably been asked before but I’ve searched and can’t find it. My 3 year old granddaughter is having her pre school boosters today and I’m on methotrexate injections. If they are live vaccines do I have to steer clear of her please? I know when my niece’s dog had live vaccines her vet told her to keep me away from the dog for 2 weeks.
if I do have to stay away from her how do actual parents on methotrexate manage?
With the caveat that I’m not medically qualified. If it’s the pre-school 4 in 1 jab (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, and polio), it’s not a live vaccine. The main live vaccines used in the UK are MMR, BCG (no longer routinely given ), chickenpox, the nasal flu vaccine, and the live version of the shingles vaccine. Travelling abroad, the yellow fever and oral typhoid vaccine are also live.
There’s information regarding whether or not you need to stay away from someone and the nasal flu vaccine in particular on the NRAS website. Thought it might be useful for you later in the year:
Probably best to check with your Rheumatology team but I was never told I needed to stay away from my son when he had his preschool boosters. I was definitely on a biologic at the time, either adalimumab or Rituximab.
The polio vaccine used to be the live one. When my boys were young 30 years ago they had to have the polio by injection as it’s a live jab it passes through in their urine but I believe this has now changed. It used to be given in a lump of sugar. I would ask whoever is administering the jabs to be sure.
This is from the Mayo Clinic (in the States):
“While you are being treated with methotrexate, and after you stop treatment with it, do not have any immunizations (vaccines) without your doctor's approval. Methotrexate may lower your body's resistance and the vaccine may not work as well or you might get the infection the vaccine is meant to prevent. In addition, you should not be around other persons living in your household who receive live virus vaccines because there is a chance they could pass the virus on to you. Some examples of live vaccines include measles, mumps, influenza (nasal flu vaccine), poliovirus (oral form), rotavirus, and rubella. Do not get close to them and do not stay in the same room with them for very long. If you have questions about this, talk to your doctor.”
Here’s the URL: mayoclinic.org/drugs-supple...
Take care!
Update.. Mmr is live but it’s ok to be near her after it. The flu nasal spray I have to have my flu jab 2 weeks before her or not see her for 2 weeks after she’s had it if I’ve not had mine. Thanks for all, your replies. My Rheumy team are brill!
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