PMR and flu vaccine

Hi @ncgal, The Mayo Clinic information on prednisone says you should contact your doctor before getting any vaccine if you are on prednisone.

"While you are being treated with prednisone, do not have any immunizations (vaccines) without your doctor's approval. Prednisone may lower your body's resistance and the vaccine may not work as well or you might get the infection the vaccine is meant to prevent.Jul 1, 2020"
Mayo Clinic - Prednisone (Oral Route) - Precautions: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/prednisone-oral-route/precautions/drg-20075269

Have you discussed getting the flu vaccine with your doctor?

Thanks, John. It was one 0f the questions I forgot to ask on my last visit. I'll check with d octor.

I asked my doctor the same question. I was originally put on 10 mg. Prednisone for PMR and got down to 2 mg before having to increase again up to 10 mg. I a presently down to 7 mg. for 7 days, then 6 etc. My doctor said it would be okay for me to get the flu vaccine. I'm also 78. I will check back with you after I've had the vaccine to let you know how I made out, but I would definitely check with your own doctor as our circumstances may be different. Good luck.

I am on 15mg of Prednisone, 70 years old and my Rheumatologist told me to get a flu shot as soon as possible. The Pharmacy was out of the High Dose so I got the regular dose 10 days ago. I feel fine so apparently everything is good.

I got the flu vaccine at the end of September. I waited a few weeks and then got the second Shingrix (Shingles shot). I am currently on 5-6 mg of prednisone, decreasing to 5. Except for tenderness a few days at injection site and some fatigue the day after shingles shot, no problems with either. My rheumatologist recommended getting both.

I am currently on a slow prednisone taper (8 mg. now) I recently retired from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention after 29 years and have always strongly supported getting the flu shot, especially this year during covid. I got my flu shot last week, but requested that i not receive the high dose and had no reaction. Last year was the first year that i actually had felt very fluish for about 3 days after the shot and assumed that was a good thing - body building antibodies to the flu, but this year with PMR, I decided to get the flu shot but not the high dose. My personal decision. I had several conversations with my Rheumatologist, GP and Endocrinologist and all suggested getting the shot. Again, it is certainly a personal choice.

My doctor advised me to get the flu shot too. I am down to 6 mgs. Prednisone as of today (having been down to 2 mgs. then back to 10 mgs). I did get the high dose flu vaccine 4 days ago and have had no reaction so far, not even at the injection site. I am 78.

My rheumatologist said ok to get flu shot so I did and no problems. I’m 69 and on 2 mg daily prednisone

I did get the flu shot 2 weeks ago with no adverse effects or flare up with my PMR. I was a little nervous because my PMR started immediately after the 2nd Shingrex shot was given in February of this year. Currently on 4.5 mg prednisone.

Briand, that is encouraging to know you had no flare up after getting the flu shot.