Transplant: Vaccines: Covid, Flu, RSV

Hi, @hello1234
Yes! Yes! and Yes! is my response. I have already had my flu and Covid shots. RSV is scheduled for next week.

This week, @keggebraaten, Mayo Staff member, posted the following article in the New Transplant Blog Post which is a feature in the Transplant Support Group Discussions. It explains this more clearly than I can! Here is the link:

-Respiratory Illness: 3 Types for 2023
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/transplant/newsfeed-post/respiratory-illness-3-types-for-2023/

This week my husband was offered a flu shot when he was at an allergy / asthma appointment. He asked if I could get mine too. He got his but I’d been experiencing a tight, dry, non productive cough and the nurse said it would be better to wait until I felt better. I found out that I can get all 3 vaccines next week at the local pharmacy that I use. Do any of you post transplant folk know if all 3 (flu, COVID and RSV) vaccines can be done in one sitting or is it better to spread them out over a period of time?

Yes! Scheduled to have all three including Shingrix!.

Hi hello1234. Last week I did 2 shots at one, COVID and flu. In all my shots save Shingrix where I had an extreme reaction (rash to my elbow, 4 days of pain and an inability to bend or use my arm) my usual response to vaccines is just a sore arm for 24 hours. So I decided to do the double shot flu and COVID. 8 hours after the shots I got a throbbing headache and by the next day horrible body aches. So I was really uncomfortable and just unplugged ftom any daily routine for 36 hours. I was fine after that and happy that I decided to wait until next week to get the RSV shot.
I am 18 months post liver transplant so perhaps my meds impacted my reaction to the shots. I have advised my transplant friend who is generally weak, to pace the shots one at a time for I have a stronger constitution than she has. That way she can take on any reaction one at a time.
Hope this helps.
Barbara aka ajdo129

Absolutely had my flu shot, this past week the Covid vaccine and next week RSV, we can’t get anything that might cause us more lung damage.

Thank you so much @ajdo129 (Barbara)!
You provided the exact type of info I was looking for... It really helps to know how real people, (especially fellow transplant folks), react to each vaccine.
I am a three year post kidney transplant patient and I take Tacrolimis and Mycophenolate.
I had four covid vaccines in the past and received zero antibodies from them when I was tested.
I then took the Evusheld antibodies shot when it was proven effective against the current variant at that time. Unfortunately, I caught covid. I went to the ER and received an infusion of antibodies that I believe worked very well. I felt significantly better in 24 hours.
However, I don't think there are any replacements for the Evusheld shot or antibodies infusions for the new variants that are out there.
I am thinking of getting the new covid booster, but I am not overly optimistic about developing antibodies this time either. The immune suppression meds make it difficult for the body to have an immune response to the vaccines.
Thank you again Barbara for sharing your experience.... It's very helpful! 😊

@hello1234 While I am not a transplant patient, I do deal with a wonky immune system due to active blood cancer and end stage kidney disease.

On 9/11 I had flu and RSV vaccines, and on 10/2 shingles #1 vaccine. This next week will be the new Covid vaccine. I learned the hard way to space things out, as too many on one day will put me under the weather. They were really trying to get me to do shingles on the same day as flu and RSV, but I refused. If you are able to switch arms around for the different shots, do so! Anything to minimize getting sick.
Ginger

Hi @gingerw 😊
It's always so great to hear from you! Thank you for joining in....I appreciate your excellent advice regarding spacing out the vaccines. Matter of fact, my aunt called me tonight and just told me the same thing. She took all the vaccines on the same day and she did not feel well for a couple of days. She highly recommended spacing the shots out by a couple of weeks. I will definitely take your advice (and my aunt's advice) and space them out to avoid feeling under the weather. Thank you Ginger!

Hi @cehunt57 😊
I don't know if you saw Ginger's recent post regarding spacing out the vaccine shots (see post above). I am going to space my shots out and I know that is a concern of yours so I wanted to make sure you saw Ginger's comments.

@hello1234 You're welcome! I absolutely love our little brick-and-mortar pharmacy in the next town up the road [23 miles!] The owner/pharmacist is so knowledgeable, and I can ask him anything about my situation. Seeing that my husband has his post-kidney transplant meds through a large commercial pharmacy, he is considering changing to this little place, due to the way I have been treated there for over 4 years. The owner Daniel is worth his weight in gold, as is any pharmacist who is doing their job right. He really has helped me keep up with all my vaccine schedules.
Ginger