hello all!
Welcome Mad!
Here's the low-down on vaccinations while on anti-TNF agents. The risk for serious adverse reactions to vaccines applies to "Live-Virus Vaccines." Enbrel & Humira may decrease the response to live virus vaccines and increase the risk of adverse reactions; should not be administered concurrently.
The flu vaccine is made of inactivated variants of influenza type A and B or both dependingon the year.
Those who are immunosuppressed should receive the Flu Vaccine. So if you are taking Humira/Enbrel/....and it was OK by your doc, then it is perfectly fine to have the flu shot. Although, I would tell the doc first before you receive it to make sure you do not have an active infection anywhere.
What a person DOESN'T want to do is recieve a LIVE VIRUS vaccine. Live vaccines are measles, mumps, rubella, Polio. Take caution with pneumococcal, meningococcal vaccines, smallpox, typhoid, varicella zoster & pertussis.
If you did have a flu shot and did have a very bad reaction, you may be allergic to the egg protein that is in it! And given, the flu shot CAN make you feel crappy and sometimes even feel sick, which can bring about a flare. Anything that is introduced into the body of a person with an AI disease can make it go a little haywhire! We must be careful.
Rest well Mad! I hope you are feeling well soon.
Sincerely,
Erin