Is the Vaccine safe for someone who has the MTHFR mutation?

Hello @bet. I can see you would like to connect with members who have experience with the MTHFR mutation. I'd like to introduce you to @gldnrtrvrlvr who has shared about also having MTHFR and may have feedback from consulting with her doctor.

There is so much to still learn about COVID-19 and other health conditions that all the answers are not available as we would all like, so in most cases, consulting with your personal doctor may prove to be the best until there is more widely available recommendations. Also, it seems as though everyone reacts very individually to the vaccine.

Are you wanting to get the vaccine?

I am seeking information for my daughter who has the MTHFR mutation and would like to get the vaccine. Her doctor is cautious and would like more information. The university that the doctor contacted months ago has yet to respond. I am sure there are those with the mutation or physicians with patients with the mutation who have had the vaccine. It would be helpful if they shared their experience.

I am desperate to get this information as well. ! for my daughter who is mandated to take it for college:/

I am sure you have all tried to do some research on this issue, and found as I did, an absence of guidance. So I turned to my trusty VAERS database. With about 500,000 reports of adverse events out of 340,000,000 vaccinations, if there's a problem, it's going to show up there. So there were 7 reports of reactions POSSIBLY linked to MTHFR, including 3 hospitalizations and 0 deaths. Since as many as 30-40% of the population has the C677T mutation, it is reasonable to surmise that a lot of people with MTHFR have been vaccinated, so it looks like a very rare side effect.

In contrast, a number of severe Covid cases, including hospitalizations have been linked to the mutation in some groups, see: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jcla.23798 According to the article, the gene, and a specific mutation (C677T) they cite, can actually predict a higher chance of severe Covid infection.

In this case, absent other health issues, or medical advice to avoid vaccination, it looks like vaccination is a safer choice than a chance of infection...but only you and your daughter can decide.

Sue

I cannot thank you enough for this comment! She has an appt this afternoon and I have been worried for days over this.
Your comment is logical and puts everything into perspective for me . Her PCP recommended the Pfizer but this was just before she was actually diagnosed a few months ago. She’s held off until now as her college mandated it. I don’t want to flat out say don’t get it bc I know she’s at risk IF she got covid so I’m trying my best to make the best decision to help her. Thank you for your reply. I really appreciate it.

You are welcome. It is very difficult to walk this path with our emerging adults, encouraging them to make wise decisions, and teaching them how to do it while not being overbearing.
I hope she has a wonderful year at college in these challenging days.
Sue

Thank you so much for your kind words. 🙂 thank you so much

Thank you for your reply. It is most helpful.

I have a gene mutation called MTHFR. Because of this mutation I suffer with blood clots. I had a massive DVT in my left leg that cut off the blood supply to my entire leg and left me hospitalized for weeks. I'd love to hear from people who have this disorder and have got the Covid Vaccination. I just need assurance that it's safe.

Hi Courage, welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I moved your post asking about others who have the MTHFR mutation and considered the safety of the COVID vaccine to this existing discussion where you can meet @bet and @rrher who had similar questions and choose to have the vaccine.

@courage3512, have you discussed the pros and cons for yourself specifically with your doctor? A good question may also be to ask which vaccine is the better option for you.

Additionally, you may be interested in connecting with others living with the MTHFR mutation in these discussions:
- MTHFR mutation and supplements to take https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mthfr-mutation-and-supplements-to-take/
- Factor V Leiden and MTHFR mutations-Blood clots in femoral artery https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/factor-v-leiden-and-mthfr-mutations-blood-clots-in-femoral-artery/