What about vaccinations? | Arthritis Information

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Does your doctor recommend that you receive no vaccinations because of your immune system disorder?  I've had different health care people have different answers.

I thought of this again today because my cat, Brrrruce, was recently quarantined for biting a vet tech when having his blood drawn.  Because he, too, has presented with an immune system disorder (in his case, IMHA --- immune mediated haemolytic anemia) and my vets won't vaccinate him against anything, including rabies, the health department made me quarantine him.  The health department also requires a rabies innoculation subsequent to the quarantine, but my vets explained the situation and, to my surprise, the department allowed him to remain unvaccinated. 

The vets explained that one of two outcomes are likely when such an individual is vaccinated: (1) The vaccine will not work because the immune system will not produce the proper antibodies to the vaccine agent, or (2) The immune system will overreact to the vaccine, causing the individual's underlying immunological disease to reappear or worsen, or even produce additional immunological disorders.   
the only vaccinations not generally recommended for people with autoimmune diseases are the live virus vaccines...and that is due to the meds not the disease.  We should get our annual flu shot and get the pneumona vaccine

Actually, mine insists on the flu(shot, not mist) and pneumonia vaccine.  I get them at the same time that I get my infusion every year. 

I had the same recommendations as rocckyd....  

That's interesting about your cat...  but, if your other animals are innoculated, then he can roam freely in your home/quarantine?  or is he a danger to you?
[QUOTE=rocckyd]Actually, mine insists on the flu(shot, not mist) and pneumonia vaccine.[/QUOTE]
I too get a 'flu shot every year, however my physicians recommend pneumonia vaccine every five years (maybe that is because of my age?) tetanus every ten years or sooner in the case of a deeply penetrating wound, or other 'serious injury'.

The CDC has specific recommendations and requirements for travel vaccines. I was told that yes I need to get the flu vac. but that I had to do it on the day that I would normally do my Enbrel injection and then skip my Enbrel.   

My son had to get the flu shot as well instead of the mist cause of me.  Felt bad cause we went to the 5yr checkup all excited cause there were no shots.....The nurse was about to give him the flu mist when the dr. remembered the meds I was on.  Poor kid-he was not amused. 

I get a yearly flu shot and will get a pneumo shot in the next couple of years.  I probably should have it since I work around sick people all the time.  I know there are some RD's who say yes and some who say no.  I don't even ask, it isn't even an option for me.  The only thing my RD told me was NOT to get a live virus.
Phats
 
[QUOTE=babs10]

That's interesting about your cat...  but, if your other animals are innoculated, then he can roam freely in your home/quarantine?  or is he a danger to you?
[/QUOTE]
 
Welllll.......he was supposed to be quarantined "away from any other animals or humans, except a caregiver".  But the vets know my cats (and me) very well and they knew that he'd be here at home with me and the rest of the furkids.  And the Health Department doesn't check up on him; they just need a statement from the vet at the end of his "quarantine". 
 
The only vaccination I get is against tetanus. 
My RD doesn't allow me to have any type of vaccine.  She's never really said why, just that I can't have them.  I'm also not allowed to be around anyone who has had a "live" vaccine.  This usually means some of the vaccines that they give to babies.  Most have been changed, but some babies still do receive live vaccinations.  My problem is 'how do I know if a baby I'm standing next to has had a live vaccination or not'?  It's not like you can ask a total stranger.  I used to get my TB test at the Health Dept. and they would put me in a private room until my name was called, so I wouldn't be near babies with the live vaccine.  I guess that mean stay away from all babies unless you know for sure.  Go figure!
 
Renee
Never been an issue for me, but then again I'm not on any heavy-duty immune suppressants.  Everyone in my family has to get a flu shot every year because DH has cardiac issues, and influenza could kill him.  Last fall the boys got the FluMist live nasal vaccine, so they had to stay away from my stepmom for a couple of weeks (she was going through yet another round of chemotherapy at the time).
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