Re Vaccinations

[Frewen1]

Probably with others, I just listened to the Zoe Covid update webinar... the one thing I thought worth repeating here was that indeed, people with auto immune problems should have the vaccine if and when offered - early doubts about this seem to come from the fact that autoimmune compromised people are not included in trials, so there was no data. However, Covid is undoubtedly more dangerous for us than the average, hence vaccination recommended. There is also some evidence that having an autoimmune condition may offer some protection from Covid - people with RA have "much lower rates of

Covid" according to Tim Spector. The only inappropriate vaccine would be a live one, and none of the four main groups being rolled are live vaccines.

[Kendrew]

I saw this too, and definitely gave me some reassurance that the vaccine can and will offer me some protection despite high dose of steroids. Any protection is better than no protection.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It would be nice to know whether the low rates in rheumatology patients is actually due to the fact we are conscientious about all the protective measures.

[Frewen1 in reply to PMRpro]

Interesting. He certainly seemed to be saying we had some sort of protective immunity conferred by the condition - (the Zoe webinars are all available online, including today’s)

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Frewen1]

We don't have an arthritis - it is a vasculitis. The same may not apply.

[Frewen1 in reply to PMRpro]

True.

[maria40 in reply to PMRpro]

For those of us who have both it's encouraging.

[Highlandtiger in reply to PMRpro]

I did wonder that too...🤔

[Kendrew in reply to PMRpro]

I think you're right. Common sense would dictate that being immunosupressed does not give you added protection from covid....or any other infections, but being extra vigilant with protective measures to avoid contracting covid certainly will. I think this is the most logical and likely reason for those figures.

[SheffieldJane]

They are all beginning to sing from the same sheet now.

[herdysheep]

When I go for my vaccination tomorrow I may be offered choice of Pfizer or AZ as they are doing both in the same centre. Any views on if either would be better for us?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to herdysheep]

Don't think anyone knows ...

[MrsNails]

I haven’t seen it yet, will post update later as to why....

But l had this conversation with my Consultant in June, he said he was expecting to have Wards Full of Rheumy Patients but that was not the case & we discussed Why? We agreed that possibly we as a group were more cautious, sticking to the ‘Rules’ but more were actually ‘Shielding’ than those that were told too.....

[Frewen1 in reply to MrsNails]

Hi there, yes your take on it seems to be the received wisdom, but I should like to know what you think if you do watch it ... to my mind he was definitely saying it was the condition, not careful behaviour, that seems to provide some sort of protection - please let me know if I’ve got the wrong end of the stick! The two aren’t mutually exclusive, of course...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Frewen1]

I don't see how they can say which of a variety of factors it may be - could be which medication, increased care of self ...

[MrsNails in reply to Frewen1]

Will probably be tomorrow as not firing on all cylinders 😴 but yes will let you know x

[Frewen1 in reply to MrsNails]

Hope you’re ok xx

[Dydee]

I agree that my auto immune disease made my Covid attack mild but my docs said it was because I was already on steroids when I came down with it. They give steroids to hospital patients with Covid.