[Sage Hen]

Hi Friends,

I have a question, if you would be so kind to answer.

Those of you that are taking CellCept, do you get your flu and pnuemonia vaccinations?

My Rhuemy says yes, to both and wrote out an order for them.

My M.D. always says no to the pnuemonia vaccine.

My Rhuemy made a point to say NO live vaccines.

I have decided that my Rhuemy trumps my M.D. but, wonder what advice you were given?

Love,
Sandy

 

[lazylegs]

Hi Sandy,

My Rheumy has always advised me to get a flu jab. I have been on Cell Cept for 4 years and have experienced no problems. The flu vaccine is not a live virus, however I would verify it prior to having one.

Take care,
Lazylegs

S

 

[lin]

although im not on the same as you im on the Az drug i also have the injections too, with out no problems...

Lin xx

 

[Clare.T]

Hello Sandy


I have had both and my doctors have always been pro the pneumonoccal one too especially as I am slightly immunosuppressed, and nowadays my age of course. I think the pneumo one is good for at least 5 years in the UK.
All the UK sources recommend it especially for people with compromised immune systems.
The attenuated injected flu' vaccine is not live. I think the only live one is the nasal spray which is not recommended for under 5's and over 50's anyway.
The 'problem' is that the vacccines may not be so effective in older people and the immunocomprised because they make fewer antibodies. For that reason doctors will sometimes vaccinate twice early and late in the season, for flu anyway although I don't know about double vaccination of the pneumo one.

The US Centre for Disease Control points out that getting the diseases can be lifethreateningly serious whereas the risks of the vaccination are nil in those for whom they are not contraindicated.
They give a list of people who should avoid various vaccinations at
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/vac-admin/downloads/contraindications_guide.pdf

It is essentially for each of us to decide with our doctors but I would certainly go with my rheumy's recommendation. It would be interesting to know why your GP is against since he seems out of line with everybody else. I would ask mine why he is against to see if he has some good reason that your rheumy might not have considered.

All the best
Clare

 

[Sage Hen]

Thank You,

Clare, lin, and Lazy legs.

I appreciate your replies to my post. You were all very helpful to me.

I will ask my M.D. when I go to him to get my vaccinations, why he didn't recommend a pneumonia vaccine for me. I am curious about it.

Thank You,
Sandy

P.S. I hope your all feeling well.