Covid vaccine & PMR

[Daisy1624]

Having had my vaccine today, I asked the nurse if my antibodies would produce equally as well as someone who didn’t have autoimmune issues. She said probably not but the only way to find out that would be to have an antibody test after the 2nd vaccine. I have thyroid issues, hashimotos, and PMR, has anybody else been told this? It’s really concerned me, as I have always thought of the vaccine as “the golden ticket” a chance to have a normal life again.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

The correct answer from her would have been "we don't yet know" - they are collecting data. No-one knows - not even the scientists.

However - the vaccine is not yet a golden ticket for anyone. It will be once the incidence of infections is really low so the chances of meeting somone with it are small. But until more than 70% of the population have either had Covid or been immunised AND it is known that any mutations are covered by the vaccines - and that is still far from sure - we need to continue to keep up with sensible precautions. The likelihood is that if we were to meet it and catch it we wouldn't be as sick as without the vaccine but there remains some risk. At best the vaccine is 90-95% cover for young and healthy people who do have the immune response. It will be better and safer - but not 100%.

[YuliK in reply to PMRpro]

PMR pro, as usual you are spot on with your answer.

The scientists are still collecting data.

Yulik 😷

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Been discussed on here a lot recently - here one for example -healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

And previous - healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[SnazzyD]

No vaccine is a guarantee and there can be a variation in response even between healthy people; some people just don’t muster antibodies. This is why the government advice is not to change Covid avoidance behaviours after vaccination. Immunosuppressed people are more likely to have a more muted response but even then it isn’t necessarily all bad. Did she mean autoimmune or immunocompromised being the problem? Perhaps she assumed that all autoimmune people must be on immunosuppressive levels of drugs which we know isn’t necessarily the case. Don’t forget we are still very much in an experimental stage and so far most of the population still isn’t vaccinated and since we are still in relative lockdown Covid numbers are low because of that. we still don’t know what will happen when measures lift; that is still uncharted territory. While it is good to be hopeful and signs are good thus far, I don’t think the media headlines have helped give this idea that once you’re jabbed it’s back to normal.

[Greensleeves]

Hi Daisy , I think most of us here are at least a little concerned as to the question of protection from Covid , once we have had both vaccinations.

I don’t think we will have the same level of protection as people who aren’t taking steroids, and similar medications that lower our immune systems.

I believe scientists are currently doing studies to test the level of protection.

I’ve been reading about the antibodies test . It’s for people who possibly caught Covid at the start , or those who don’t present with symptoms.

Lloyds pharmacy sell them online, they say a positive test for antibodies doesn’t mean you’re immune, only that you’ve been exposed.

I do agree with you and feel we were sold the idea of the vaccine as a light at the end of the tunnel.

Perhaps it will make life easier as more of the healthy population are vaccinated, but I don’t think life will be the same again. Take care x

[Hidden in reply to Greensleeves]

Hi Greensleeves, you are obviously correct, life will never be the same.

Take care.

I'm Pastit

[Bcol]

Have to say one jab or two I'm not planning on or anticipating any sort of return to the old "normal" life anytime in the near or middle future.

[Constance13 in reply to Bcol]

Neither am I - whatever "normal" is/was.

The only things I really want to do is go to a garden centre and sit out having coffee and cake in one of our lovely Spa cafes - or down by the nearby lake.

Distance keeping is no problem where I live.

[Kendrew]

I think that although we don't know definitively yet whether or not we have a muted response to the vaccination, we can probably be hopeful that it will afford us some protection, and any level of increased protection is better than none! As for life never being the same again....some see that as a negative outcome. I personally see it as a positive one. Eventually, we will be able to hug our loved ones again, visit them, go out for meals and entertainment with them. We will be able to celebrate Christmas, Easter, Hanukkah, Diwali, etc, and we will be able to enjoy holidays and weekends away. What's likely to change is the way we keep ourselves safe, so, if washing hands more frequently, sanitising and disinfecting objects and apparatus people come into contact with more frequently, being more aware of how we cough & sneeze, affording people more personal space, and an annual vaccination becomes the new norm......I can only think that's a good thing.

So many people have shown kindness and compassion by stepping up to the plate and helping others in need. This pandemic has certainly highlighted those areas of different communities where a 'need' is present, and I for one believe much of this good work will continue long after the pandemic diminishes.

We've also realised how valuable each and everyone of us is to society..... appreciating much more the contribution everyone makes to the smooth running of our individual communities......not just medical professionals and educators but people like the refuse collectors, delivery men & women, checkout assistants, etc. We've developed a heightened regard for the fact we couldn't have managed without these people too. That has to be a good thing.

Of course there will probably be a few 'constraints' too ....maybe the need for proof of vaccination before travelling abroad or being accepted for a new job, but these kind of constraints also protect us and I would much rather that than the alternative.

Life and the way we live it is continually evolving and sometimes it's better that it does! I believe this is one of those times.

It's currently 6.30am in Essex, UK..... the sun is shining, the birds are singing and there's much to feel happy about.

I hope you all have a peaceful and happy day. 🙂🙂❤❤

[Constance13 in reply to Kendrew]

Totally agree.👵🏻 It's up to us to see that life carries on. 👏💥

[PMRCanada]

I asked my GP the same question including if an antibody test post vaccination might give me an answer.

His response was that they still don’t know however better to receive the vaccine and have “some antibodies” than not to and have none. Might mean the difference between staying at home vs. being hospitalized should I get COVID 19. Additionally he mentioned that the antibody test (here in Canada), only detects if there is or isn’t antibodies present, not provide a quantifiable amount.

I’m still waiting for my turn to get vaccinated however I do hope to get some sort of “response” indicating my body is working to create those antibodies. Given I’ve been on pred for 3 years, I suspect my body’s response may not be as “robust” as someone whose immune system is not compromised at all. As many have pointed out....better to have some protection than none!

[Kendrew in reply to PMRCanada]

Don't rely too much on your detectable reaction after your jab to determine your possible level of immunity. Prof Tim Spector (ZOE Covid Symptom Study) said that a strong reaction is due to the body's immune response 'firing up' and is quite normal and expected in some people, but if you manifest little or no reaction it doesn't in any way suggest your immune system isn't responding. This too is normal in some people. Just worth noting!