Covid-19 vaccines and vaccinations

Herpes zoster following BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 vaccination in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases: a case series

[QUOTE
Abstract
Objectives
As global vaccination campaigns against COVID-19 disease commence, vaccine safety needs to be closely assessed. The safety profile of mRNA-based vaccines in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD) is unknown. The objective of this report is to raise awareness to reactivation of herpes zoster (HZ) following the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination in patients with AIIRD.

Methods
The safety of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination was assessed in an observational study monitoring post-vaccination adverse effects in patients with AIIRD (n = 491) and controls (n = 99), conducted in two Rheumatology Departments in Israel.

Results
The prevalence of HZ was 1.2% (n = 6) in patients with AIIRD compared with none in controls. Six female patients aged 49 ± 11 years with stable AIIRD: rheumatoid arthritis (n = 4), Sjogren’s syndrome (n = 1), and undifferentiated connective disease (n = 1), developed the first in a lifetime event of HZ within a short time after the first vaccine dose in 5 cases and after the second vaccine dose in one case. In the majority of cases, HZ infection was mild, except a case of HZ ophthalmicus, without corneal involvement, in RA patient treated with tofacitinib. There were no cases of disseminated HZ disease or postherpetic neuralgia. All but one patient received antiviral treatment with a resolution of HZ-related symptoms up to 6 weeks. Five patients completed the second vaccine dose without other adverse effects.

Conclusion
Epidemiologic studies on the safety of the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines in patients with AIIRD are needed to clarify the association between the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination and reactivation of zoster.

][/QUOTE]

https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/advance-article/doi/10.1093/rheumatology/keab345/6225015
 
For what it is worth:
https://measussex.org.uk/me-priority-sussex-argus-21-4/
ME PRIORITY – SUSSEX ARGUS 21/4
By admin On 21st April 2021

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After a number of weeks the Sussex Clinical Commissioning Groups have confirmed that some of those affected by the Chronic fatigue syndrome known as ME can be included in priority group six to get their Covid vaccines.

Our charity, which works for the 4,000 Sussex people affected by the potentially life-changing illness that is classified by NHS England as a neurological disorder, has been pressing the CCGs for clarification as some people with the illness have been turned down by their GPs who seem uncertain of the risk group categories.

The CCG Vaccine team have now said: “In summary, the GP should exercise their clinical judgement for the individual patient as to whether COVID-19 infection is likely to exacerbate the patient’s underlying condition, including ME, as well as the risk of serious illness from COVID-19 infection, and consider adding them to priority group 6. ”

Colin Barton

Sussex & Kent ME/CFS Society
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(Australia): Side-effects of vaccinations which need urgent attention because they might indicate blood clots:

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/me...d-act-fast/ar-BB1fUFYa?ocid=ASUDHP&li=AAnZ9Ug

A leading Australian expert has outlined the symptoms of developing a blood clot after receiving a Covid vaccine - and what to do in the highly unlikely chance you do.

Professor Michael Poole, an epidemiologist from the Burnet Institut, said severe headaches, or breathing problems with abdominal pains, are key symptoms of a blood clot.
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Also, a worryingly-formulated headline (risk of blood clots after AstraZeneca jab increased):

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/me...-fortnight/ar-BB1fWmN3?ocid=ASUDHP&li=BBoPWjQ

Of course, the risk hasn't magically doubled, it's just that more people are coming forward because they've been made aware of the situation: "observer bias".
 
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How do people choose a vaccine to get, assuming they even have a choice?

When It Comes to a Travel Restart All Vaccines Are Not Equal

With the resumption of global travel on the horizon, some people are discovering that their choice of vaccine could determine where they’re allowed to go.

Already, the European Union is planning to allow Americans vaccinated with shots approved by their drug agency to enter over the summer, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen suggested in a New York Times interview Sunday.

This means that those who have shots by Chinese makers like Sinovac Biotech Ltd. and Sinopharm Group Co. Ltd. are likely to be barred from entry for the foreseeable future, with stark consequences for global business activity and the revival of international tourism.
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Covid vaccine: Sore arm and headache most common side effects

By Rachel Schraer
Health reporter

The most common side effects of the Covid-19 vaccines are pain or tenderness at the injection site - in other words, a sore arm - a UK study has suggested.

Roughly one in four people had wider effects like fever, headache, nausea and fatigue.

But these only lasted on average for one day.

Researchers involved in the ZOE Covid Symptom Study app saw fewer reactions than were seen in clinical trials.
Confidence in the vaccines has continued to grow since the end of last year, with more than 80% saying they believe the vaccines are safe and effective, compared with about 70% who said the same towards the end of 2020, according to a survey of 5,000 people.

More here: Covid vaccine: Sore arm and headache most common side effects - BBC News
 
I think the link provided above https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-56901356 gives a more nuanced picture giving details of some of the differences between the two vaccines most used in the U.K., Pfizer and AZ.

I wish my response had been as mild as those listed but I think it has been mast cell related. The one symptom I didn't have with either jab was a sore arm!
I also find it odd that it's less than 2 years since I started experiencing mast cell type symptoms and less than 18 months since I had anaphylaxis, after 14 years with diagnosed ME. That was why my GP pulled me out of the routine vaccine here at the time which was Pfizer, and allocated me to a rare AZ day. I had never had any allergy symptom until 18 months ago.

The US NIH have started to research the effects of Pfizer and Moderna on people with mast cell disorders
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/new...ons-moderna-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccines

but obviously they will not look at AZ. As far as I can see as a non scientist it looks a good study except they don't cover my age group( oldest age is 69). I wish this could be done here with AZ because there is the issue of the proposed autumn vaccine.

edit: a few words reordered for clarification
 
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I'm probably needing to go on an antiobiotic this week and I'm trying to get a vaccinated in my room this week too.

Do you think an antibiotic might interferre in anyway with the vaccine working?

If so, with the vaccine taking up to a few months for it to be most efficient, then ought I to time this so the antibiotic isn't taken during the time of the vaccine becoming most effective in my system?

I know antibiotics are specific for what they treat yet wasn't sure still how this may work with the covid vaccine. Thank you if you know more about this and can share.
 
Yessica said:
I'm probably needing to go on an antiobiotic this week and I'm trying to get a vaccinated in my room this week too.

Do you think an antibiotic might interferre in anyway with the vaccine working?

If so, with the vaccine taking up to a few months for it to be most efficient, then ought I to time this so the antibiotic isn't taken during the time of the vaccine becoming most effective in my system?

I know antibiotics are specific for what they treat yet wasn't sure still how this may work with the covid vaccine. Thank you if you know more about this and can share.
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I'm sure you'll get a more knowledgeable reply, but personally I wouldnt imagine antibiotics would have any impact on the vaccine efficacy, given that antibiotics work on bacteria, no impact on viruses.
But i might be completely wrong. I hope someone more more medically knowledgeable will comment...... @Jonathan Edwards if you have time?

But I think perhaps the person giving the shot should be made aware that you have an infection? - i seem to remember them checking if i was 'fit & well' before giving me mine.

It's great you're getting the vaccine, it's sooo worth it! You might want to consider side effects from both antibiotics & vaccine at the same time though - if you tend to react to medication, and maybe discuss with your doctor the merits of getting through any initial side effects from one before getting the other? even though both are more likely to be minor you might want to consider avoiding them both hitting on the same day unless it's necessary?
 
https://committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evidence/438/covid-19-vaccine-certification

I came across this about an hour ago, unfortunately too late to be of use. It closed at midnight.

If certification is introduced, and I seem to remember news items which indicated it is likely, what are the implications? There may be many unable to have the vaccine, some on the advice of their doctors. Lots to think about. Unable to sleep but now brain dead so cannot add more.

eta: Germany is reportedly to end corona virus restrictions for those who are fully vaccinated. I presume this will require some form of certification.
 
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Binkie4 said:
eta: Germany is reportedly to end corona virus restrictions for those who are fully vaccinated. I presume this will require some form of certification.
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Such "certification" or a "vaccination passport" should not be used for anything other than being required for international travel. Those who are immunised can still be infected and can still spread the virus.
 
Snow Leopard said:
Such "certification" or a "vaccination passport" should not be used for anything other than being required for international travel. Those who are immunised can still be infected and can still spread the virus.
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There would not be a central database for certification, privacy nightmare. Anti-lockdown/vaccine communities are sharing instructions how to forge them. The passports can't be relied upon. Not because it's a bad idea, but because humans are weirdos.
 
The Swedish Public Health Authority released some data today.

Få allvarliga fall av covid-19 bland vaccinerade
https://www.folkhalsomyndigheten.se...llvarliga-fall-av-covid-19-bland-vaccinerade/
Google Translate said:
Since the turn of the year, the spread of infection in Sweden has been high, and almost half a million cases of covid-19 have been reported. [...]

Of the more than 2 million people in Sweden who received at least one dose of vaccine, 0.3 per cent or 5,942 people were found to have covid-19 at least three weeks after their vaccination. Of these, 20 have received intensive care and 187 people have died with covid-19.

Of the more than 700,000 people who were fully vaccinated with two doses, 0.2 percent or 1,624 people were found to have covid-19. Of these, 6 people received intensive care and 67 people died with covid-19.
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(Sweden's population is approx 10 million people.)
 
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Yessica said:
I'm probably needing to go on an antiobiotic this week and I'm trying to get a vaccinated in my room this week too.

Do you think an antibiotic might interferre in anyway with the vaccine working?

If so, with the vaccine taking up to a few months for it to be most efficient, then ought I to time this so the antibiotic isn't taken during the time of the vaccine becoming most effective in my system?

I know antibiotics are specific for what they treat yet wasn't sure still how this may work with the covid vaccine. Thank you if you know more about this and can share.
Click to expand...

I am not a doctor, nor do I have any super secret knowledge. However I’ve always understood that one is prohibited from getting any vaccine while having any active infection. If you have ME/CFS, you need be 10 times more cautious than the average person.
 
I registered to take part in the Zoe Covid study based at Kings but I felt so ill after AZ1 that I couldn't do it. I do have daily scribbles written for myself about what was happening to me and I later had AZ2.

Yesterday I had an email from the study team which included a request for details of " unusual post vaccination after effects." Mine seemed mostly mast cell related including throat swelling for which I have reduced histamine in my diet, and increased anti histamines. I hope they might write something about l- histidine ( constituent of AZ) and whether it can possibly convert to histamine. Some on here might know but until recently I have been reluctant to post too strongly about my negative experiences so haven't asked. Now that the Zoe group are studying it, I hope to get some answers.

The symptoms they mention are " changes to menstruation" but they have reports of others and have asked that friends and family be encouraged to log jabs and symptoms with them.

I replied and have had acknowledgement. Sorry cannot write more. Need to rest.



"Have you had any unusual post vaccination after-effects?

As more of you receive your first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, we’re seeing some reports of rare and unusual after-effects, including changes to menstruation. There’s nothing to be alarmed about, and we’re digging deeper into these findings to learn more.

To help, please keep reporting with us and encourage as many of your friends and family as possible to download the app and log their jabs and symptoms with us too!

For all of the latest updates and research, you can follow us on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

Keep safe and keep logging

The ZOE COVID Study team"
 
Merged thread

AZ vaccination and no antibodies

Hi. I have ME (start 1995, poster child for Canadian definition and for ME ICC). I got my first AZ jab in early March. After seven weeks I had antibody tests done (renowned testing centre, 98.5% reliability of test) for both IGg and IGm antibodies, using a phlobotomist. My partner (without ME) did too. While they had high IGm and negative IGg, as would be expected after vaccination, I had negative results for both. (In fact they said they tested my blood twice, which renders the possibility that they got this wrong minimal.) So my question is: are there any data, anecdotal or other, regarding antibodies after AZ vaccination, first and/or second jab for people with ME? Also has anyone here taken an antibody test (at the recommended time) after the vaccine and had no or very low antibodies?
 
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