What Research Has Been Done On Autoimmune Conditions And Vaccines
Vaccines and AID have both been researched a lot so we have a lot of data.
There have been many different types of studies done, including:
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Controlled trials
Many of these research studies have also been:
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Large in size
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Done in many countries
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Done on different subpopulations within countries
Here are some examples of just a few large, long-term studies that have been done on vaccines and AID:
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Hepatitis B vaccine and MS: This 2001 casecontrol study followed almost 140,000 nurses, starting in the 1970s and 1980s. In the vaccinated individuals, the relative risk of MS was less than one which means that MS was actually less likely to occur in the vaccinated group.
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Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine and type 1 diabetes: This 2002 prospective followed over 21,000 children for 10 to 12 years. Researchers found that vaccinated children were less likely than unvaccinated children to get type 1 diabetes.
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HPV vaccine and all autoimmune conditions: In a 2015 study of over 2 million girls, there were similar rates of autoimmune disorders in vaccinated and unvaccinated girls. AID was not more common in girls who had the HPV vaccine.
Safety Considerations Of European Medicines Agency For Adjuvanted Pandemic A Vaccines
The pandemic vaccines were developed by using a prototype vaccine that contained the H5N1 antigen and an adjuvantfor Pandemrix, squalene combined with DL–tocopherol. This mock-up vaccine was recommended for approval in 2008 by the European Medicines Agency, based on data on efficacy and safety in some 5000 people aged 18-65 years. After approval of the final vaccine in September 2009, a trial was carried out in 300 children aged 3-12 years. Thus at the time of release on to the market in October 2009 the safety experience of Pandemrix was deemed to be limited. The European Medicines Agency encouraged a strategy for enhanced pharmacovigilance, implying stimulated reporting of spontaneous adverse drug reactions and the start of epidemiological studies. During and after the pandemic vaccination period in Sweden, reports on adverse drug reactions for Pandemrix were generally reassuring but produced a new signal for allergic reactions. In the autumn of 2010 an unexpectedly large number of reports on narcolepsy in adolescents and children was noted by the Medical Products Agency in Sweden .18 Subsequent epidemiological studies in Sweden and Finland reported several-fold increased risks of narcolepsy in children and adolescents.171819 Our trial is the first data based study on an array of neurological and autoimmune safety outcomes for one of the pandemic vaccines used in the European Union.
Neurological And Autoimmune Disorders After Vaccination Against Pandemic Influenza A With A Monovalent Adjuvanted Vaccine: Population Based Cohort Study In Stockholm Sweden
- Accepted 26 August 2011
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What To Know This Flu Season
- Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies protect against infection with the viruses used to make the vaccine.
- Flu vaccines cannot cause flu illness. Two types of flu vaccines are widely available:
- Inactive flu viruses that are not infectious.
- Single flu virus genes that produce an immune response without causing infection.
- Get flu vaccines every year for optimal protection. Immune protection from vaccination declines over time and flu viruses always change.
What Vaccines Do I Need
Most people with lupus need the same vaccines as everyone else. Find out what vaccines are recommended for your age group. Then, ask your doctor which vaccines you need.
Protect yourself from flu and pneumonia
Its especially important for people with lupus to get the flu and pneumonia shots. Lupus makes it more likely that youll have serious health problems if you get the flu or pneumonia.
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Ive Also Become An Outspoken Mom For Getting Your Family Vaccinated
If your kids arent vaccinated, they cant come to my house. Its funny how we become passionate about something once it really hits home. I am saddened when I learn of someone unnecessarily getting sick or dying from a preventable illness. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last year’s flu season was one of the worst weve ever seen. A record-breaking total of 180 pediatric deaths were reported. Approximately 80 percent of these deaths occurred in children who had not received a flu vaccination.
Please. Please! Dont think it cant happen to you or your family.
We all benefit from your good health decisions. Get your flu, hepatitis and other recommended vaccines. Ill be sure to get mine. Protect yourself and your family. By doing so, youll also help me protect myself and my family. It means everything to me, really.
Bonnie Jean Feldkamp is a freelance writer and regular contributor to the Cincinnati Enquirers Education and Family Roundtables. She is communications director for the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and is a member of Parent Media Association, Journalism and Women Symposium and the Society of Professional Journalists. Based in Kentucky, she is a wife and mother of three.
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Two: Community Care For Hesitancy
The next step is providing personal context about the vaccine experiences of others in the autoimmune community. When we can relate to others it helps ease our concerns around any kind of decision, especially one so impactful to our health. We recognize that in the autoimmune community there may be some legitimate vaccine hesitancy due to the complexity of the chronic disease paths we are all navigating, so we are offering education, not alienation, as an act of community care.
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Are People With Autoimmune Diseases At Any Additional Risk When It Comes To Covid
Dr. V. Michael Holers: Initially, we thought that they were not at greater risk if they got COVID-19. However, the thinking on that is evolving. More recent data out of Europe and elsewhere shows that theres a modestly increased risk for severe disease. Youre apparently not at a substantially higher risk of getting COVID itself, but if you do get it, theres an increased risk of severe disease.
The impact of COVID-19 on those with autoimmune diseases is being actively and intensely studied right now. The rarity of these diseases makes that hard to do. You need to be able to put together data from multiple hospitals or multiple health care systems and then try to address all of the comorbidities that are associated with increased risk age, obesity, and so on. Trying to disentangle it all is difficult at times, but with large data sets, you can do it. Thats how this slightly increased risk of severe disease has been identified.
Immunocompromised People Hope Healthy People Will Get The Flu Shot To Further Protect The High
Though many community members are choosing to protect themselves against the flu this year, they know that their efforts can only do so much.
I hope everyone who is medically able gets vaccinated against the flu, one patient wrote. Not only for themselves, but to help protect others.
I will do what I can to protect myself and my fellow humans, another person shared. I always believed that if there is something out there that will protect you against disease, why not take advantage of that?
Another patient simply wrote, it is my hope that everyone will get the flu vaccine as well as the COVID-19 vaccine, a thought which was echoed by many others in the free response section.
In addition to getting the shot, you can protect yourself against the flu by continuing to take precautions, such as wearing a masking, social distancing, and washing your hands. You can also talk to your loved ones about getting their annual shot, emphasizing the impact it can have on your life.
As one patient perfectly said, please encourage people to get the flu shot they save lives.
The Global Healthy Living Foundation is committed to providing ongoing education about COVID-19 vaccines for the chronic illness and immunocompromised community.
To stay informed about the latest COVID-19 vaccine news for people who are immunocompromised, take immunosuppressant medications, or have autoimmune conditions, follow all of our COVID-19 vaccine coverage here.
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Senior Flu Shot Types
The following flu vaccines are recommended for adults 65 and older only. Talk to your doctor about which senior flu shot is right for your loved one.
- Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent is a vaccine made up of four different flu strains likely to cause the flu in the upcoming season. The higher dose of flu virus antigen in the Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine stimulates a stronger immune response, making it more effective in preventing the flu in seniors than other regular flu vaccines. One study comparing it to the standard flu vaccine also showed the higher-dose vaccine can reduce the need for respiratory-related hospitalizations.
- Adjuvanted flu vaccine contains an additive called an adjuvant. The adjuvant in this vaccine is made with aluminum salts and stimulates a stronger immune response when compared to other standard flu vaccines. This vaccine is usually made up of three different strains of the flu, like other standard flu vaccines, but a quadrivalent adjuvanted vaccine is also available now.
Autoimmune Patients Prepare For Flu Season
While every individual should be proactive about the upcoming cold and flu season, its important that autoimmune patients remain especially mindful of their immune health prior to the start of colder weather.
Viral infections can trigger and worsen autoimmune flares, as well as cause an increased risk for the development of new autoimmune diseases. But by reducing the overstimulation of the immune system by multiple triggers, each autoimmune patient has the tools to reduce their immune burden and support resilience against cold and flu exposure.
Are you living with autoimmunity? Contact your CentreSpringMD team today to find out how you can prepare for the upcoming cold and flu season. Virtual visits are still available for the full holistic experience from the comfort of your home.
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If You Have Kidney Disease You Need To Get A Flu Shot This Fall
This fall, more than ever before, it is critical that everyone get a flu vaccine. The National Kidney Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourage everyone, especially kidney patients, to get a flu vaccine before the end of October. Do this to protect yourself and reduce the strain on the over-taxed medical system.
Those with kidney disease or with a weakened immune system are at an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 as well as the flu. If you are at risk of severe complications, take precautions to protect yourself.
A flu vaccine may also provide several individual health benefits. It may keep you from getting sick with flu, or reduce the severity if you do get it. These benefits can reduce your risk of flu-associated hospitalization during the ongoing pandemic.
Who Should And Who Should Not Get A Flu Vaccine
Everyone 6 months of age and older should get an influenza vaccine every season, with rare exceptions. For the 2021-2022 flu season, three main types of influenza vaccines will be available. Two kindsthe inactivated influenza vaccines and the recombinant influenza vaccine are injectable . The third type, the live attenuated influenza vaccine , is given by nasal spray. Different influenza vaccines are approved for different age groups. Some people should not get some types of influenza vaccines, and some people should not receive influenza vaccines at all . Everyone who is vaccinated should receive a vaccine that is appropriate for their age and health status. There is no preference for any one vaccine over another.
This page includes information on who should and who should not get an influenza vaccine, and who should talk to a health care professional before vaccination. Talk to your health care provider if you have any questions regarding which influenza vaccines are best for you and your family.
All persons aged 6 months of age and older are recommended for annual flu vaccination, with rare exception.
Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications.
People who can get the flu shot:
Flu shots are appropriate for most people.
People who SHOULD NOT get a flu shot include:
People who SHOULD NOT get a nasal spray vaccine:
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How Do Vaccines Work
Vaccines teach your body to recognize and fight off germs that cause serious diseases before they can make you sick.
Heres what happens when youre not vaccinated:
When theres a new germ in your body, your immune system learns to make antibodies to fight it off. But this takes time and in the meantime, you could get very sick.
And heres what happens when youre vaccinated:
Each vaccine gives your immune system a weak or dead version of a germ to practice on. The vaccine doesnt make you sick it just teaches your immune system to make the right kind of antibodies to fight off that germ. Then, if you ever catch the live version of that germ, your immune system is ready to fight it off.
COVID-19 vaccinations use a new method to help vaccinate people. It is called a messenger RNA or mRNA vaccine. The mRNA vaccines send a portion of a virus genetic code to allow the body to learn how to fight it. This will allow the body to create a defense system if it comes in contact with the virus that causes COVID-19.
The mRNA vaccines do not contain the COVID-19 virus and do not change a persons genes or DNA.
Integrative Medicine: Lowering Your Inflammatory And Immune Burden
Autoimmune diseases often flare due to the immune system becoming overstimulated by multiple triggers. By identifying and decreasing common triggers such as food allergies, stress, or environmental toxicities, you can decrease your bodys immune burden giving your immune system more resilience against viruses.
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About The Patient Support Program Quick Poll
Members of our program have underlying health issues such as inflammatory arthritis and other autoimmune conditions, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, and more that may increase their risk for COVID-19 complications. They are interested in understanding the best ways to stay safe during the pandemic and to be part of a community of people with similar concerns, questions, and fears.
We regularly poll members, who live in the U.S. as well as around the globe, about a variety of topics, including how the pandemic is affecting their lifestyle, mental health, chronic disease management, medication adherence, and more.
We use this information to inform the educational resources we provide and to inform other stakeholders such as public health experts, policymakers, advocacy groups, health care professionals, and pharmaceutical companies about chronic illness patients needs and concerns. You can participate in ongoing polls by joining the support program here.
If You Get Vaccinated Your Immune System Might Start To Attack Your Own Body
This is false. Because vaccines activate your immune system, people worry that they could also trigger autoimmune disorders especially since infections do trigger autoimmune conditions.
Autoimmune conditions affect more than 23 million Americans.
But theres actually pretty strong evidence that vaccines dont cause this to happen. Not only do vaccines not increase your risk for autoimmune disorders but vaccines are some of the best protection we have against AID triggers, such as the flu, chickenpox, and measles.
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Should People With Autoimmune Diseases Get The Covid
Serious cases of COVID-19 often stem from the immune system going haywire. Its fair to wonder, then, whether those with autoimmune diseases that is, diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus that involve the immune system attacking the body itself should worry about getting the COVID-19 vaccines.
Unless one has a vanishingly rare allergy to vaccine adjuvants, those with rheumatic and other autoimmune diseases should have no qualms about COVID-19 vaccination, says Dr. V. Michael Holers, head of the Division of Rheumatology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Holers bases this on his teams clinical experience as well as the recommendations an American College of Rheumatology task force that on March 4 released updated its best practices for COVID-19 vaccination among those with rheumatic diseases.
UCHealth Today spoke with him about the impacts to rheumatology patients of COVID-19 and the vaccines aimed at immunizing against it. The bottom line and the data backing this up is that if you have a rheumatic disease, its vastly preferable to get a COVID-19 vaccine than it is to become infected with the actual coronavirus.
Who Should Not Get The Flu Shot
According to the CDC, the only two groups of people who should not get the flu shot are:
- Children younger than six months old
- People with a known allergy to the flu vaccine or its ingredients
People who have an anaphylactic reaction to eggs should consult with their doctor since most flu vaccines have tiny amounts of egg proteins. Some formulations of the flu vaccines do not contain egg proteins. A health care professional who can recognize and manage severe allergic reactions can administer these formulations in a medical setting.
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