Immunocompromised and COVID Vaccines

[Lupusrelative]

Interesting article. I’m sure you are all aware. 😢

theguardian.com/society/202...

[Barnclown]

Thank you! This is a very good article…am sharing it with family & friends

💞💞💞 💞 Coco

[lupusinflight in reply to Barnclown]

I just read it - it's a nerve-wracking article

[Lupusrelative]

Re: rife in UKconsidering omicron was only detected as a variant virus a few weeks ago and that there are few labs in the UK equipped to detect it……..? It also takes 14 days for those labs to test for it. So how come they are coming up with so many cases of this already?

[Fila62 in reply to Lupusrelative]

I read this yesterday and thought the same how are they coming up with these figures.This is very confusing and cause for concern I don’t want to say that I have no confidence in the data and the science but I am leaning in that direction .

[happytulip]

I struggle to understand this situation. I don't want to appear unempathetic because that is not the case. It's a tragic story. But I do struggle to understand how someone on a biological like Ritoximabab didn't understand that they were immune compromised. Everyone I know who is on a biological has had it drilled into them about infection and risk etc but the specialist nurses and consultants so was there a failure in communication or understanding?

As a lupus sufferer with a load of other AI conditions I feel that I must carry a certain level of responsibility for my health. For example, if I get a diagnosis I research it. If I get put on a new medication I take the time to ask questions about it, research it and become informed. I think that this is vital for any adult with a chronic condition if they want to live their life to the best of their ability. Maybe it's my medical background but I don't believe that all the responsibility should be put on the medical profession, we have a part to play too.

Please don't think that I am indicating blame but I truly cannot understand how someone who has been given a diagnosis of RA, has been given biologicals and had a diagnosis of leukopenia cannot understand that they are at risk? Or maybe it's just how it is being reported?

It's a tragic story and a dreadful loss for the friends and family of this lady. It's a reminder to all of us to be careful, but I think it's also a reminder to stay well informed of our individual conditions.

I hope this doesn't come across as insensitive because it is not intended in that way.

HT 🌷

[MrsMarigold in reply to happytulip]

Yep. Good summary. And analysis of the journalism bordered on sensationalism for me. There is one thing though that MAY Be a conflict for both physician and patient and that is: the patient’s understanding of their illness from medications prescribed and the

Patient’s abilities and access to research their illness. Even patients having the education to read instructions that a Medical person gives to them; or the ability to comprehend the diagnosis fully and the

Directions on the medicine bottle. Challenging for physician to communicate effectively for every individual patient as

Different as we are. Each patient walking out the doctor’s door today anywhere in the world

With a lupus diagnosis interprets it through

A totally different lens. Last, I’m sorry for all Covid victims and their loved ones. But Fears sells. And I think we have all been buying too much fear. 🌺

[Leenie0811 in reply to happytulip]

I think what is being said is she knew she had to shield but then the vaccine gave hope and there was no information given saying she still needed to be careful due to her medication.

From my own experience, I started Methotrexate just before the pandemic and I called my nurse to ask when I got the shielding letter and when the vaccine became available. To me it appears that the immunosuppressed information is not very well reported on until it is too late like this article.

Such an awful story, so sad for the family 😢💔

[Chris21]

Out of that story one thing that springs to mind (and not the first time) after having all the vaccines. Why are they not testing the immunocompromised to check that they have the antibodies in their system? We all have enough regular blood tests, why can’t they just add an extra one on? Constantly ‘topping up’ with boosters is not going to work if your unfortunate that your body is rejecting it. Or is there something I’m not u derstanding?

[Leenie0811 in reply to Chris21]

This would be a simple fix and would tell us so much information! How could it be brought to the governments attention? Can Lupus UK do anything to support or push this @Paul_Howard

[KnitSewPurl in reply to Chris21]

As far as I am aware in 1998 they(Dr) test me for Rubella it showed I did not have any vaccine antibodies in me. then when my daughter was born in 1999 they decided to vaccinate me again and tested to see if I had any antibodies still no antibodies. they vaccinated me again and checked still no antibodies so all together I had about 3 times of Rubella in total . This was conducted with my local Occupational Health with the immunologist as I was at that time a staff nurse at my local hospital . I have no idea of the conversation that gone on between the Dr immunologist and the Dr at the Occ Heath. But obviously at that time they were unduly concern of my health. All they said was keep away from contact from measels.They also said I did not have any other vaccine antibodies apart from BCG sufficient and Hep b very Low. They was no evidence of any of my tetanus or any of my yellow fever vaccine travel vaccine which was very odd.

My diagnosed did not get verified until 2009. I got very ill in 2005 . So , wondering if my immune system has anything to do with it, yes.

As for Blood testing , according to the Government website you can check for antibodies if you do a PCR test 😉, that is if you have a valid reason for it.

[KnitSewPurl in reply to KnitSewPurl]

When I saw that article yesterday I thought wow that is why I am so careful now.

[Chris21 in reply to KnitSewPurl]

That’s amazing! Just goes to show we never really know whether these vaccines are working, we do it and hope for the best 🙂 I have heard if you have a pcr you can check for antibodies, I’ve fortunately not had the opportunity to have one yet! And continue to be cautious in anything i do.

[Lupusrelative]

Exactly what I said to my younger sister who has RA

[Hidden]

This article is good as in my view it isn't made clear how ineffective vaccines are and also that certain medicines eg rituximab ( I take it) increase the risk of being seriously immune compromised and negatively effect vaccine efficacy. I disagree that it is for a patient to educate themselves on these issues. It is the specialist consultant s who should discuss and make patients aware of these issues. This issue should also at forefront of lupus UK.