For people taking immune suppressants which COVID vaccine is best?
For people who regularly take immune suppressant medication, which of the Covid-19 vaccines are most effective ?
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.
I have been injecting myself with Enbrel since close to 20 years; as a result my psoriasis & psoriatic arthritis has been under control; since I received 2 Moderna jabs plus one Pfeizer booster to protect myself against Covid my psoriasis & psoriatic arthritis have returned. I am asking myself wether it has to do with the vaccins? Enbrel suppresses my immune system but doesn't the vaccins "boost" it? And if I am right isn't possible that this is the reason my psoriasis & psoriatic arthritis have returned?
Hi Atina, welcome. You'll notice that I moved your question to this existing discussion in the Autoimmune Diseases group. (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/autoimmune-diseases/) I did this so you can connect with others like @becsbuddy @strongevergreen @rosemarya @babsstruck @siosal @loribmt who are talking about getting vaccinated while on immunosuppressing drugs.
Since you mentioned psoriasis & psoriatic arthritis, you may also be interested in this related discussion:
- Psoriasis and the covid vaccine https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/psoriasis-and-the-covid-vaccine/
Atina, did you talk to your doctor about the flare of psoriasis? Did s/he suggest any changes to your medication?
Thank you for your reply; my doctor has retired....trying to find a new one.
@strongevergreen I have been on immunosuppressants for about 4 years now for my autoimmune disease. My neurologist and oncologist told me to just get the vaccine and they didn’t have a preference of one over another. Ive received 2 Pfizer vaccines and one booster with no change in my health.
What has your doctor recommended? Have you not been vaccinated yet? Why?
I REALLY WANT TO GET THE PFIZER VACCINE !! I had Covid-19 and do NOT want to repeat that experience. I have been seeking answers from my doctor and pharmacists but so far, there is no research data, only clinical reports of individuals. I was diagnosed with MS in 2004 and have been taking Avonex Interferon beta 1-a since the day of my diagnosis. I have had ZERO symptoms and NO relapses since my first episode 18 years ago. I am hesitant to tamper with the status quo since I’ve had such success so far. I live alone and am retired. I order groceries and pay my bills on-line. I have no exposure to other people. I got Covid from a non-symptomatic electrician who came to my home to do some work. I was in his presence only long enough to write a check and hand it to him. Neither of us wore a mask. Ten days later I had ALL the symptoms and made arrangements for my dogs in the event of my death. When I ask for information about the potential interaction between interferon and Covid-19 vaccines, I pretty much only get advised to GET VACCINATED. I don’t need to be persuaded. I already want to be vaccinated. I already know how bad Covid-19 is. I just want to know the answer to this one question. Will the interferon immune suppressant be as effective if I am vaccinated with an immune stimulant ? Put another way, will the Covid-19 immune stimulant be effective if I continue to take an immune suppressant ? Most recently, I put this simple question to the Pfizer Company: Should I stop taking my immune suppressant before being vaccinated with your Covid-19 vaccine ? I’m waiting for an answer. Meanwhile, I am healthy and have no real complaints. I’d like to return to swimming and participate in yoga classes at the YMCA but I don’t dare do that without a Covid-19 vaccine. My Neurologist and I have an appointment next month to decide which route I should follow: Continue Avonex and get the vaccine or stop Avonex and get the vaccine or basically continue to isolate until the pandemic goes away
Would this work for eczema? Besides the very expensive Dupixent, what else can rid eczema, there has to be something besides prednisone or steroids, help please!!!!!!!!!!!
I have the same concern. Does the immune stimulant counteract the immune suppressant ? Does the immune suppressant cause the immune stimulant to be ineffective ?
I posed this question to the Pfizer Company and am awaiting their response.
Thank you so much but Amgen is the company that makes the drug: are they now part of pfeizer?
I HAVE AUTO IMMUNE DEFICIENCY AND TAKE WEEKLY INFUSION TREATMENTS (HIZENTRA). MY IMMUOLIGIST SEND BLOOD TEST TO A LAB IN UTAH AND MUCH TO MY CONCERN ALL TESTS CAME BACK NEGATIVE. I HAVE HAD ALL THREE SHOTS AND NONE HAVE GIVEN ME PROTECTION, DO NOT KNOW WHATELSE TO DO, OTHER WEAR MASK AND BE VERY CAUTIOUS.