TMEP & Flu Vaccination

[CW202020]

Hi there, I have just been diagnosed with TMEP and am looking to get a flu vaccination this year. I don’t qualify for vaccination under the NHS. Last year I had it done at Tesco Pharmacy and had a large allergic reaction. I wondered if anyone else with a mast cell condition had a similar reaction and if they have found an alternative that doesn’t give them a reaction?

[Beth_UKMasto Ambassador]

The problem with the Flu Jab is that it changes every year depending on what strain of flu is likely to be around, so even tho you reacted to it once you may not next time. I think the best thing you could do would be to contact your GP and explain the situation you were in last time and asking if it would be possible for you to have it at the practice so you could be monitored after for any adverse reactions. If at all possible it is best to try and get the Flu jab done especially with all these nasty viruses around at the moment.

[CW202020 in reply to Beth_UKMasto]

Thanks Beth. I spoke to my GP first and she doesn’t know anything about mastocytosis conditions so she directed me to my dermatologist, who directed me here! It seems as though my GP can’t do anything because I’m not on the NHS Seasonal Flu list, and it doesn’t seem to be an issue with vaccination per se, but more with the method of delivery. For example if there’s evidence that the egg base causes an allergic reaction then they might be able to give me a different kind of vaccination - younger children get a nasal spray rather than the egg-based jab.

[Beth_UKMasto Ambassador in reply to CW202020]

Hmm that's a tough one, the problem with ,Mast Cell issues (in my case anyway) is that one day we may react to things and another time be perfectly fine, its such a tricky one. Do you have an egg allergy? it may be worth seeing of you could have the one without any egg product in it just to be on the safe side. Would your Dermatology Dr let you have the injection there? Just so you are in a safer place. It does make me a bit cross when GPs just say they no nothing about Masto but at the same time wont let you help educate them about it. its so very hard to say what it could be.

[Jess-UKMasto Partner]

Hi CW, there are usually some options in the UK market in terms of Flu vaccines. Here is a list of them for 2020: assets.publishing.service.g...

Because I do have an egg allergy I used to get the Fluenz (kid nasal spray) though I had to go out of my way to get it at a private GP. Last year I got Flucelvax, which is also egg free.

It can be difficult to know which one would be tolerated and not, if it isn't obvious which element was setting you off. I would see about discussing the list above with the dermatologist and see if s/he has a view--- and then definitely have the jab in a safe location (surgery or hospital, not pharmacy) and discuss with the dermatologist whether you should take some preventive medications before you do. (That might include the ones used in surgery, such as extra H1 and H2 blockers and sometimes Singulair if you take it regularly).