Is vaccine okay for PMR patients?

[Daylily2000]

I’ve read that immunocompromised people will not be allowed to receive the new COVID-19 vaccination. Are we in this group considered immunocompromised??

I apologize because now I see this question has been reviewed in the past. Sorry.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

This was posted a few days ago - healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The government scientific literature I have seen in this respect classes the immunocompromised who should not receive the vaccination at present are those who have had solid organ transplants, patients with HIV/AIDS, on certain medications (none that we are on) and those with certain hereditary immunodeficiences.

Before anyone gets the jab there is a medical questionnire, anyone who the nurse is not sure about is sent to a doctor. They have given the jab to people with lupus - on that basis I imagine we will get it too.

[Daylily2000 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you! ♥️

[ChinaWuntoo in reply to Daylily2000]

Had our jabs this morning. My partner is allergic to penicillin - no problem. I am on 8mg Pred - no problem. We were seen by a doctor who administered the vaccine. She even knew, from my note about Pred. that I had PMR - I chatted, she is obviously recently trained and is up-to-speed on PMR.

I have to say, the experience was excellent - a friendly, very efficient production line with loads of Red Cross volunteers and doctors. The Centre expects to see 300-400 people in a day.

[Daylily2000 in reply to ChinaWuntoo]

Wonderful!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ChinaWuntoo]

Some service really - they were determined to get you done!!!

[ChinaWuntoo in reply to PMRpro]

And I feel well and truly done!

On reflection it is gratifying to know that someone somewhere must have decided that spending money now could save much more money later, not to mention less stress and pressure on hard-worked NHS staff. The cost of the taxi to and from and waiting 30 mins at the clinic - and again in January - must cost quite a bit.

Incidentally, on another subject, the doctor suggested that a reason that Rheumatologists often don't know about PMR is because they tend to be older and trained longer ago (back on my hobby-horse).

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ChinaWuntoo]

Absolutely - about time too!! OTOH - a lot of taxis are struggling so may well have been taken on to replace/augment the patient transport service and provide individualised transport. Was it the same taxi?

I agree - a lot of older rheumies do tend to be very dismissive of PMR, as if it is beneath their dignity ... I always hope they develop it themselves at some point

[ChinaWuntoo in reply to PMRpro]

The taxi driver told me they had the contract - I suppose for a network of surgeries in my area. I have a friend who had the same experience but who is in a different surgery. I noticed the taxi drivers chatting to each other whilst they waited for their old people; many appeared to be driving big Mercedes - which actually helps because, sitting in the back, we were at a bit of a distance - and we all wore masks. Our driver saw us through the window of the Clinic as we fulfilled our 15 minutes wait, smiled and welcomed us back! From door to door it was 75 minutes.

Still feeling very positive!

[Boss302Fan]

I only have PMR and my Rheumy says get it.

[Millipede01]

Hi I'm currently on 6mg pred and as a primary care worker will be eligible for the covid19 vaccination pretty soon. I spoke with my GP to just make doubly sure it was OK for me to have. And the answer was yes 👍I was advised to have it without delay!! Hope this helps/reassures. X