Covid Vaccine with CLL?

[tyke3poppy4]

I have been on CLL W & W for 10 years although my WBC is rising steadily again. Are there any contra-indications to me having the COVID-19 vaccine?

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Hi tyke3poppy4,-

There have been many discussions on this subject - the brief answer is that the two currently approved vaccines are safe for us (Pfizer-Biontec & Moderna) but there is no data on how we CLL patients will respond in producing antibodies.

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There is some concern about the safety of vaccines that have live viruses (Astra-Zeneca, & some of the Chinese or Russian versions).

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Several CLL experts have recommended getting either of the two approved vaccines but also testing for antibodies one or more months after the 2nd shot, to confirm that antibodies were produced

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For more detailed & expert opinions see the box on this page labeled "Related Posts" especially this one:

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

- a pdf summary here:

cllsociety.org/wp-content/u...

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For more reading - this link will take you to the 809 postings that mentioned COVID

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

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Len

[tyke3poppy4 in reply to lankisterguy]

Hi Len, thank you so much for your reply, I live in Greece and my haematologist is in Athens and there is no way I am going anywhere, especially Athens!! It is also difficult to phone her as her English is not the best.

I also have rheumatoid arthritis which complicates things too. I have hardly been out at all since the beginning of March but my husband has been amazing in keeping me as safe as possible. The article you posted is very helpful.

A very different Christmas for all of us, let hope we all make it to the next one.

Thank you again.

Jenny

[KirbyBH]

I have been on W&W for 15 years now. Visit with my doctor few weeks ago and asked that question. She said I should definitely get the vaccine when available to me. They do not use a live virus and she said I should be fine. I get a flu vaccine every year and have had the shingles vaccine and pneumonia vaccine as well with no problems.