Covid Vaccine

[daisylazy]

Now that a vaccine seems to be on the horizon I wondered what we need to know to prepare. Will it be OK for someone with adrenal insuffiency to take it. Do we need to know which make of vaccine would suit pmr/GCA sufferers best. Just thought I'd ask so to be better informed. Thanks.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

No-one knows anything about any of the versions that are likely to become available - other than the Pfizer one claims to stop 90% of infections in the entire population they trialed it in. They have not yet released any details of the sub-groups so no-one knows whether it works better in old/young/middle-aged/male/female. Only once all the data has been processed can they release that sort of info.

This is just one approach to the problem - there are other mRNA vaccines in the pipeline as well as other approaches about which no data is yet available because they aren't that far in their trial.

Even when it is approved for whatever groups of subjects and enough is being manufactured - the biggest hurdle is likely to be the mass vaccination programme. It will require thousands of healthcare staff to do it, this one has major distribution problems because of the need for it to be kept at below deep-freeze temperatures. And even once you have had the second jab it will be another few weeks before you have developed immunity. There is plenty of time to work out which is best for you!