COVID-19 Vaccination and immunosuppressed patients - UPDATE from 12/01/2021

[PMRpro]

This has just been posted on the LupusUK forum by Paul Howard:

"We've updated our information and guidance about lupus and COVID-19 vaccination - lupusuk.org.uk/covid19-vacc...

In the past week there has been some confusion and misinformation regarding the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. This was especially the case following Prof David Salisbury's interview on BBC News.

We have sought advice from clinicians and professional bodies, including the British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) and have been assured that the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is considered safe for people who are immunosuppressed.

The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is not strictly considered to be a ‘live’ vaccine although it does contain a live, non-replicating adenovirus vector. Adenovirus vector vaccines have been trialled in populations with high prevalence of HIV and shown no serious adverse events. It cannot replicate in humans and does not make more virions, and therefore it is perfectly safe in the immunocompromised.

We hope that this will provide some additional reassurance for you."

Although the site is for lupus patients, many of the concern apply equally for us so I thought it was worth sharing here.

[Rache]

That’s reassuring, thanks

[Frewen1]

Many thanks for that.

[Mary63]

Thank you

[Thelmarina]

Thanks - very helpful

[whitefishbay]

Thanks. PMR Pro.

[MrsNails]

Thank You 🙏🏼

[Lochy]

Interesting and good to know. Thanks

[123-go]

Thank you. 👍

[Leepeelee]

Very reassuring thank you 😊

[Rugger]

Thank you, as ever.

[bright-horizon]

That’s a great relief. Thank you for passing on this information

[Manchesterlady]

Good to know. Thank you PMRpro

[Nerak12]

Thank you. Good to know for when I eventually get offered one 🤞🏻

[Bcol]

As, always, many thanks

[herdysheep]

Many thanks for sharing

[Dickeyboy]

Thank you.

[cool4bob]

Thank you very much for this.

[Pr0jection]

Thank you! Much appreciated.

[GracieSimp]

Checked out the efficacy and safety of vaccine while immunosuppressed with my doctor and was reassured that both Pfizer and Oxford jab were fine.

[Trewirgey]

Thank you!

[prunus]

Thank you for posting that. Originally - because my OH is in the highly vulnerable category I explained to someone who rang up that he usually gets injections brought. Since then I have heard nothing and that is weeks ago. So we are still waiting and presumably we will be getting the Oxford one when it does arrive!!!! One of my friends and herOH have had their two.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to prunus]

It wouldn't have been an option for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine - that must be done at a hub or the vial of vaccine would be at risk of damage/wastage. But the other is there now.

[Lollybygolly]

Thank you! Since it’s actually impossible to choose which vaccine I shall be getting, this is a big help. Many thanks for sharing.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lollybygolly]

They won't offer you anything they thought was a problem!

[Alchemy8 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes but they are not indemnified are they?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Alchemy8]

The NHS acts as its own indemnifier.

[Lollybygolly]

Thanks!

[Woodsey1]

Thankyou

[York54]

Thankyou, that was a useful read 👍👍👍

[Lauterbach]

A re-assuring post. Many thanks

[Janet57]

Thank you - very helpful information PMR Pro.

[Sandel52]

Thank you for sharing, I saw Prof David Salisbury's interview and was concerned as to what vaccine was appropriate for me.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sandel52]

The one you are offered basically. There is a dispute in Australia at present and someone has said "The choice is not whether one is better than the other, it’s which one is available to give the maximum rollout of vaccine to save lives and to protect lives this year. "

You can fine tune once you know what does what best - and it will almost certainly vary between population groups. But once you have basic protection quickly you have the luxury of time to look at enormous data sets.

[Jilldrog in reply to PMRpro]

Many thanks for that advice. I’ve been so confused.

[Skysey]

Thank you so much. This is reassuring. 🙂👍

[Viv54]

Thank you for this information .