Which kind vaccine would be preferable in an ideal world for people on Rituximab?

[Condensation]

Hi,

I hope everyone is well in these freezing temperature !

Could anyone explain to me which kind of vaccine works best for somebody with vasculitis on Rituximab. The RNA or the Astra Zeneca viral vector? I know you can't choose, but there must be one preferable over the other because of the affected T cells. How does it work when Rituximab knocks out the T cells after?

How long should one be vaccinated after a Rituximab infusion, or how long should one wait after being vaccinated to have the next infusion ?

Many thanks and all the best !

[gibson100]

I asked my lead consultant professor these same questions two weeks ago.

I was told ideally 12 weeks out from rituximab is good but that I should take it as soon as it is offered. At the time I was 9. 5 weeks out so went ahead.

He did suggest the vaccine (pfizer or AZ) is probably not quite as efficacious after rituximab but both are better than nothing. Good sensible advice I thought.

I felt okay after although sometimes it's hard to tell where one thing ends and the general grottiness from vasculitis begins!! I had the pfizer jab btw.

[DaveCop in reply to gibson100]

I had my first Pfizer vaccine 04/02/2021, I am booked in to have my Rituximab 01/03/2021 and a follow up infusion a fortnight later. I put all my trust in my consultant and his team and have nothing but respect for them for potentially saving my life but there is a lot of confusion here concerning the recommended time between the two drugs. Has anyone had any bad reactions and if so how has it affected them? What advice were they given from their team?

[LennieB]

Hi, I’m currently receiving treatment under Addenbrookes for active GPA and between Rituximab infusions. I’ve been told that I need to wait at least 4 weeks after my last infusion before having the vaccine.

[monica45]

I will have my fourth Rituximab infusion on Friday and have been told not to have any COvid19 until five months after the course is completed and no Shingles Pneumonia either need isolation for a long time yet in snowy Alberta Canada!

[Condensation in reply to monica45]

hope it is splendid isolation!I wish you all the best !

[Treebar]

I have just had a telephone appointment with Addenbrookes today and asked this question also. I got much the same advice. They are not sure yet if the vaccine is effective after Rituximab (I had my first Pfizer jab 4 weeks ago)). I was advised to accept the second jab too. Apparently, studies are still being done on the efficacy but better to use the jab and then remain shielding until results are known .

[Galaxy2]

Hi there, I had the Oxford AZ jab last week and went ahead 8 weeks after my last rituximab infusion which I was advised was the minimum time after rituximab that I should have it. I have been told it may not be very effective but I do feel more comfortable now that I have had it and am hoping at least it may protect from serious illness.

I was also given the choice of which vaccine I would prefer, so I asked the doctor who booked the appointment for me his opinion and he said he wouldn’t recommend one over the other for those of us on immune suppressants.

Good luck and hope you get yours soon!

[Investigator1]

Hi Condensation. It’s a bit of a confusing time and there are a lot of different opinions about, here is what I was told. I had my jab (Pfizer) last week and was told “this one is better for you with a compromised immune system, other people in the area who are taking immune suppressant for conditions like RA have also been given the Pfizer . All the advice is about having the jab after an infusion of Rituximab but not having the Rituximab after the vaccine, my second jab is scheduled for April 21st and Rituximab for 6th of May, will it be put back? I just don’t know. It’s one of those things I guess, “take the Jab” I was told so I did.

[louise112]

I was supposed to get rituximab on Feb 11th but it was cancelled so I could get the vaccine first. I got the pfizer on Feb 2nd and will get the 2nd jab on March 2nd. Then I will get the rituximab a month later. If I haf the rituximab first they told me I would have had to wait 6 months for the vaccine. I had no side effects after the vaccination.

[Vqueen]

Hi, I had my first jab which was the Oxford one on the 6th of February. I have my first infusion booked in for the 18th of this month. My consultant who has been brilliant especially as we've have had lots of obstacles in the way, meaning my infusions kept being pushed back he's been in constant contact with updates. He wrote a letter saying he wanted me to be booked in for 2nd dose after 3 to 4 weeks. My 2nd infusion is booked for the 4yh March meaning I will have my 2 infusions betw6each dose of the vaccine. After reading some of the other comments I'm now extremely paranoid that something is going to go wrong 😣

[foweraker in reply to Vqueen]

I had my covid jab on the 11th feb, I was told by my consultant that I had to wait 2 weeks for my 1st infusion of ritixumab at Addenbrooks

[Vqueen in reply to foweraker]

I'm hearing so many different opinions on how long to wait for rituximab. I was told 4 weeks by a whole team who had gone through guidance and they said their senior consultants and they agreed. Its horrible because they are saying I need this infusion ASAP due to continual damage being done. Which I know is having a massive impact on my health and possibly the duration of my life 😭😭😭

[Condensation in reply to Vqueen]

Thank you for your reply. Yes it is very confusing and also worrying. We are all in the hands of our consultants, but so far they have done a pretty good job to keep us alive. And they will keep doing exactly that! I wish you all the best and spring is around the corner what will make a massive difference! Speak soon ...

[Vqueen in reply to Condensation]

I completely agree my team have been wonderful and so quick considering what's going on the world 🌎Fingers crossed 2021 is our year 🙏

[Condensation in reply to Vqueen]

yes it will be, I am sure.All the best