I’ve been asked to have a seasonal covid vaccination because of my weakened autoimmune system, due to PMR. There’s a lot online about covid vaccines and PMR, mainly about PMR onset after a vaccination. Does anyone know if there’s any evidence between a seasonal vaccination and worsening of PMR symptoms?
many thanks
I don’t know if there is any evidence but I had my spring booster last week without any worsening symptoms
It does seem that some vaccines are supposedly thought to trigger some autoimmune illnesses including PMR. thelancet.com/journals/ecli...
Anything that interferes with the immune system can prod PMR into a flare - I had a short lived flare after my second Covid jab 4 years ago but have nothing like that since. But the same could happen with Covid itself, any other vaccine or the illness the vaccine is to protect against, any other illness, stress of any sort, all sorts of things. In the great scheme of things - really better to take that very small risk.
Well I do know my PMR started after my first Covid vax in May 2021 and escalated to agony after the second vax in August 2021. Coincidence? I think not. However, I've not had Covid that I'm aware of, nor have I had anymore vaxes of any kind. Whether or not the initial vaxes caused the PMR, I don't know.
Mine also caused by first covid vaccine and lots of evidence that a common side affect . To be approached with care.
The vaccination should be approached with care. My GCA/PMR was caused by the first vaccine. There is now a lot of evidence that it is a known side affect. I had years of every other vaccination plus the stress of epilepsy and PMR was never triggered. I still had some other covid vaccines and had one flare but have now been advised by a senior medical professional that the risk of the vaccine is higher than the risk of Covid which I have now had twice.
I had all Pfizer’s to start with then had to have Moderna Spikevac - 3 in short succession. The Moderna were so painful and I lost the use of my stem for a while. Item would only have Pfizer and all was well. Now this Spring booster is Moderna and I have cancelled mine but cannot find any place doing the Pfizer. 😊
Why 3 in short succession?
I got PMR after Pfizer last autumn. I've just had Moderna with no further problems. So the opposite of you.
Had my latest Covid jab last week with no problems or side effects. Similarly with all my previous Covid/flu jabs.
my problems with suspected GCA started after my last Covid jab. Not sure if I’ll have any more.
I had the same mail to get the Covid booster. Had it last week and nothing except for the stiff ness in the arm.
Me too! Had it yesterday, sore arm, slight headache but will not do taper until end of week.
Pehaps there is a slight chance that a covid jab is the last straw that triggers PMR/GCA but on the whole most of us aren't clear what finally triggers part of the immune sytem to get so hyped up. However, if the vaccination is a trigger (in rare cases) I wonder what a dose of covid would do to those same people. The vaccination is worth the perhaps small risk..
My point exactly!
I had my Covid booster last Tuesday. I felt tired/ had headache and a sore arm but the symptoms only last 2 days.
I had my 8th Covid vaccination two days ago.. It coincided with my Ankylosing Spondylitis jab on the same day. I’ve never had any real syptoms from the Covid jab, it’s never made my PMR worse.
I had Nov booster and I believe ( GP agrees) that a PMR flare very soon after was triggered by the jab. My OH has a different autoimmune condition and also suffered a serious ( and ongoing) flare. It’s set me back to square one as I’ve had to start again with a full, long, slow taper, having been at 5mg in Nov and stable for months. It’s the first reaction I’ve had after all the vax. I’m not having another booster; on balance covid risk is very low.
My PMR started after a flu jab in November 2020 & I was very concerned about having the Covid jab when it was first available but was persuaded to have it by the Dr doing the jab. I have just had my 5th Covid jab & must have been in the first stages of Covid before I had it as I tested positive the day after & I know the jab doesn’t make a positive test & I have full blown Covid now. I had Covid in April 2022 but this time it is much milder so I’m putting it down to the jabs over the time building up my immunity. My only reactions to the previous jabs were the usual sore arm & headache. It is a difficult decision to make as every one has a different experience. Good luck & I’m sure you will make the right choice for you. x
My PMR started after the Covid or flu vaccination which I had close together last Autumn.. I had the shingles jab a few weeks ago...and got shingles.
Which shingles jab did you have? I didn't think that was supposed to happen with the new one, Shingrix, which was what you were supposed to have because of pred and anyway since the 1st of September.
I had chickenpox very badly as an adult. Apparently the virus remains dormant ( in the spine I was told) and can re- emerge.
It does whenever you have CP. But the Zostavax vaccine was known as a trigger for shingles and it was listed on the PIL. I thought it was far less of an issue with the Shingrix. It is in nerves (specifically the dorsal root ganglia) and something triggers it to migrate down the nerves to particular places - usually around the midriff on one side or the other, or on the face although it can be anywhere,
osmosis.org/answers/dorsal-...
is a nice image of where the DRGs are!
It was Shingrix I had. The rash ( breast and upper back) was not overly bad but it's left me with constant pain in my arm pit and chest.
It's impossible to really be sure about cause and effect with the jab and PMR, at least that's what I think. My PMR "seemed" to begin after my third covid vaccination, but I'd also had covid twice...so, I'm not sure.
I too have had an invitation for another jab - because my immune system is weakened - but having had the infection twice, and largely been ok (a proper "flu" the first time and a "bad cold" the second ) I think I will decline the jab.
I'm using the DSNS taper - currently on 8/7mg step and feeling pretty good. The jab feels like too big a risk.
Just sharing...but observations very welcome.
And a quick "shoutout" to Dorset Lady - your rational approach and evidence based guidance has really helped me. Thank you!
The reason the first dose was like flu and second like a cold was because of the vaccine. And it wears off - like the flu jab does.
Thank you. Yes, I understand. And thanks for taking time to respond. After 2 infections and three vaccinations I think I'll have built up some immunity, but if there's a new variant around I'll definitely reconsider.
Thanks again.
There is a new variant - I believe it's called FLiRT!! 😉
There is indeed:
webmd.com/covid/news/202404...
"Host vulnerability is another troubling factor, given that only 22% of American adults have gotten the latest COVID vaccine. And since many people may not have had the virus in a while, they’re ripe for reinfection. "
I am convinced my PMR was triggered by Covid in June 2022. It started a week after. .I also had a big flare up last July after the vaccination. I was down to 3mg and had to go up to 12 again Guess everyone is an individual but agree its a difficult decision but I am reluctant to have more Covid vaccines as still up and down with symptoms.
Steroids and Covid Vaccination 
PMR and AstraZeneca Vaccination
Covid to pmr
Covid and flu vaccination ?
Pneumonia vaccination 
