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While taking Imuran..

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Posted 10/2/2011 2:02 AM (GMT 0)

can I get a flu shot?  I am 67, healthy except for UC, and just started Imuran yesterday.  I asked the doctor when there last week if I can still get a flu shot, and he said yes. But I just was reading about this medicine, and it says not to get any vaccinations, including a flu shot while taking it.

Posted 10/2/2011 2:54 AM (GMT 0)
I decided not to get the flu shot this year as it the same one from last year. Flu shots should last 10 years or for the life of the virus. I think it's a marketing scheme if you ask me. I also still got the flu last year anyway...lol. There are so many strains out there and mutations that it doesn't always workout. I heard taking Vit D3 is just as good as the flu shot.

I'm also on Prednisone and Entocort, currently have sinus symptoms, and trying to get out of a long flare...so I'm not willing to chance it. You may want to find out if the flu shot is a live virus or not, that may make a difference as well.

I've read other post where other vaccines were taken while on Imuran and it was all good..but we are all different.
If you just started Imuran then you may be ok getting it as it takes 3-6 months to kick in.
Posted 10/2/2011 2:44 PM (GMT 0)
I have never been told by my GI not to get a flu shot but I don't get them. I would definitely call my GI before getting one. Was it your regular Dr or GI that told you it was okay?

I don't feel that I am at too high risk for a flu since I work from home and I don't have children so I don't worry about it.
Posted 10/2/2011 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
As long as it's not the live virus, it is safe to get a flu shot while on Imuran. I get a flu shot every year and other than a sore arm, it has not caused any issue with me.
Posted 10/2/2011 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
I've never got the flushot and I don't plan to...I rarely ever get "sick" with the flu....my mom had UC and she got the flu shot a few times, she noticed whenever she did, she got violently ill so she stopped getting the shots...I think that's the reason why I never bothered getting them was because of her experiances with it and the fact that for me (before CD and during CD) I rarely get the flu... last time I got the flu was 1995.

Of course those that strongly believe in getting the flu shot and have not had any issues with it, mine as well stick with it.
Posted 10/2/2011 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
I got it because I am around kids and get sick alot without it. My doctor gave the ok despite being on azathioprine.
Posted 10/3/2011 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
Joylu, I'm in the same boat.  The GI told me I can get the flu shot (I forgot about asking about my Guardasil and I could get that also because it is not live).  The other guy is right though - there are no new strains of the flu this year, therefore depending on when you got your vaccination (were you early September or did you wait until January or somewhere in the middle?) last year it could still cover you but... I wouldn't go with ten years even if a new strain isn't incorportated.  Technically our antibody levels start decreasing after six months of receiving your flu vaccination, so depending on your antibody's memory, which everyone is different, will depend on how strong/qucikly your body will respond to the flu invander.  What you will have to look for is make sure you that get the shot, not the nasal spray because the nasal spray IS the LIVE form of the vaccination, however it is weakened.  You don't fall in the age group for the nasal spray, but just some extra info.  Just a little extra info from your biology nerd.  Viruses and bacteria were my favorite classes in school. :)
Posted 10/3/2011 12:46 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all!!
Posted 10/3/2011 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
I did get the flu shot. I was under the impression that those of us on Imuran should get the flu shot. I did read in the drug info no to get any live vaccines (the flu mist) and not to even be around people who have had a live vaccine. Does anyone know anything about this? I have an infant who is scheduled to receive a couple of live vaccines in November. Am I unable to be around him?
Posted 10/3/2011 3:29 AM (GMT 0)
Here's what the CDC says:

Can people receiving the nasal-spray flu vaccine LAIV (FluMist®) pass the vaccine viruses to others?
In clinical studies, transmission of vaccine viruses to close contacts has occurred only rarely. The current estimated risk of getting infected with vaccine virus after close contact with a person vaccinated with the nasal-spray flu vaccine is low (0.6%-2.4%). Because the viruses are weakened, infection is unlikely to result in influenza illness symptoms since the vaccine viruses have not been shown to mutate into typical or naturally occurring influenza viruses.

Can contacts of people with weakened immune systems get the nasal-spray flu vaccine LAIV (FluMist®)?
People who are in contact with others with severely weakened immune systems when they are being cared for in a protective environment (for example, people with hematopoietic stem cell transplants), should not get LAIV (FluMist®). People who have contact with others with lesser degrees of immunnosuppression (for example, people with diabetes, people with asthma taking corticosteroids, or people infected with HIV) can get LAIV (FluMist®).

So there is a chance of it passing on..however the second Q&A gives you some info that technically since we're not on the level of immunosupprants as stem cell transplant patients, we could be getting the live vaccine.

Here's the link to the nasal spray Q&As from the CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/nasalspray.htm#ill-patients
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