New Member Seeking advice on having the vaccine for covid-19 while having Roactemra 162 mg weekly injection for Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA).

[Frenchduck]

Hello, I was diagnose with GCA in April 2020. I took prednisone alone, 40mg/day, for 4 months, gradually reducing the dose, until at 25 mg/day it no longer reduced the inflammation. At the end of August I started weekly injections of RoActemra and eventually reduced the prednisone to zero in January 2021. I am high on the list for the covid-19 vaccination and I wondered if anyone else, taking the same drug as me, has had the vaccine yet? My concern is how the vaccine reacts in people who are taking RoActemra and is it safe to have it?

[Devoid]

Hi has mine yesterday, no problem ,you are advised to continue to shield as the effectiveness for us is not yet known. Hopefully when most people have been vaccinated it will mean we can stop shielding

[Frenchduck in reply to Devoid]

Thank you, that's reassuring. Which vaccine did you have?

[Devoid in reply to Frenchduck]

The AZ one was very pleased with how it was all organised

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Devoid]

To be fair - EVERYONE is supposed to continue precautions until a week after the second dose. The first isn't a licence to go out and mingle!

[Frenchduck in reply to PMRpro]

Hello, I've been shielding since March 2020 and living in France we have a 12 hour curfew so a few weeks or months more isn't a problem. What I'd like to know is how safe is it to have the vaccine when taking the drug RoActemra (Tocilizumab) 162 mg/week which blocks the interleukin 6 receptors (IL6)?

[Devoid in reply to Frenchduck]

They won’t have data yet re efficacy for patients on every medication, but it’s definitely safer than getting covid.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Frenchduck]

My feeling exactly - we have a curfew here in Italy too but I don't go out at night anyway! My reply was to Devoid actually.

However, UK rheumatologists are telling their tocilizumab/Actemra patients to have the vaccine. It may possibly be a lower immune response - but far better than risking facing Covid without. One top GCA rheumy told a support group just before xmas that he was recommending not taking the injection the weeks before and after the vaccine - to allow the immune system a chance to go up a bit and allow the immune response to develop. However, that is his opinion, not an official line and not all rheumies agree it is necessary.

It is safe - but it will be some time before enough figures are collected to show how effective the vaccines are in patients on biologics.

[Frenchduck in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you very much for your response. I really appreciate it.

[Horsewhisper]

I have GCA and had the Oxford/AZ vaccine a week ago. I m’m on the same meds as you and was advised beforehand by Rheumy to continue with current meds both before and after the jab. I did have an allergic reaction within 10 mins of the jab (face and tongue swelling, rash, high pulse and BP) but symptoms abated with antihistamines and I’m fine now.

[Frenchduck in reply to Horsewhisper]

Thank you. That's good to know. I hope you are okay for the second jab.

[PMR2011 in reply to Frenchduck]

I am on Actemra every other week. Did not change dose at all. Have had both shots (Moderna). Flu like symptoms for 2-3 days after the second one, otherwise fine. Thanks me will tell on the effectiveness.

[PMR2011 in reply to PMR2011]

Time will tell...drat that spellcheck.

[HanaleiBa]

I’m on RoActemra and MTX. Stopping both for 2 weeks after (didn’t do before, prob should have), though to be fair research for the flu shots and past vaccines have shown little impact on efficacy from taking RoActemra. MTX *does* reduce efficacy for past vaccines. All my rheumie’s have always said stop the MTX not the RoA for 2 weeks after when taking my other vaccines, in line with the research they (and I’ve) seen. I’m stopping the MTX for 3 weeks after because I’m stable and the COVID vaccine research shows antibodies ramping up between days 12-22. I’m debating the RoA, might just stop for the 2 weeks. But, I’m a research geek not a health care practitioner (though sometimes I feel like one!) so in the end, follow your rheumie’s advice! ps.I had the COVID jab, Oxford, Feb 2 and no issues with anything.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to HanaleiBa]

And the MTX effect does last for up to 6 weeks after stopping.

[Rugger]

I'm on pred and Tocilizumab and had my first vaccination last week. My Rheumatologist, who is a top name in this field, advised to continue with the TCZ as normal. We're in uncharted territory just now.

I had the AZ Oxford vaccine and no ill effects at all. I'm just hoping I mounted some kind of immune response!