For people taking immune suppressants which COVID vaccine is best?

Posted by strongevergreen @strongevergreen, Dec 2, 2021

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?

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@atina

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?

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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?

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@colleenyoung

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?

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Thank you for your reply; my doctor has retired....trying to find a new one.

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@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?

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@becsbuddy

@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?

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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

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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!!!!!!!!!!!

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@atina

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?

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I have the same concern. Does the immune stimulant counteract the immune suppressant ? Does the immune suppressant cause the immune stimulant to be ineffective ?

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@atina

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?

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I posed this question to the Pfizer Company and am awaiting their response.

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Thank you so much but Amgen is the company that makes the drug: are they now part of pfeizer?

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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.

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