H1N1 vaccine and Enbrel

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Wanda Vanhorn

Posted Tuesday, October 20, 2009 11:29 AM

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Last Login: Thursday, October 29, 2009 11:23 PM
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I have a great concern on the whole H1N1 vaccine for all my girls but for my 8 yr old who has JA I am even more worried.
She takes Enbrel, MTX, and Mobic for her JA and Rheumy says she need the H1N1 vaccine. Now the H1N1 virus is scary in its self but how much testing could have been done for kids on these meds? My understanding is there hasn't been that much testing done to begin with so was any testing done in regaurds to kids with JA taking these meds? I can't seem to find anything.

So is everyone getting this vaccine for there kids with JA or are you going to ride the storm out? I am still on the fence as the girls ped. isn't reccomending it, but then again Rheumy is.

Any thoughts?

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MoK

Posted Tuesday, October 20, 2009 7:14 PM

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I plan on having both my kids (one JRA, one not) vaccinated for both flus this year. My son is on MTX and pred. My husband and I will also get vaccinated.

I think the biggest concerns are that the kids on these meds are immunosuppressed and at greater risk for getting the flu and maybe with increased severity. Of course, the immunosuppression can cause a weaker reaction to the vaccine with less protection than normal. I understand that the H1N1 vaccine is a killed vaccine made just like the seasonal flu vaccines, so I wouldn't expect any cross reaction with MTX or pred since I don't think there is any with the seasonal flu vaccine. I'm not very familiar with the other meds. If someone knows of any reactions, I'd love to hear.

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kim evans

Posted Wednesday, October 21, 2009 8:54 AM

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I am not any help. But the flu has hit our house. I have had it for the past 5 days and my daughter just started a fever and vomiting this morning. I am not sure if it is H1N1 or regular because they didn't test. But, I have never felt this bad in my life. I knew our daughter was going to get it because she started to limp yesterday, which happens when she starts to get sick. We are taking her to the doctor this morning. I really hope it doesn't cause her too much pain in her joints, but I know that it does. I too was debating about getting the vaccine.

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Mom to Alex

Posted Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:24 AM

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My six year old son is on Enbrel, MTX, naproxen, and folic acid and has already gotten the regular flu shot. We will be getting the H1N1 as soon as it is available in our area...so far only the flu mist is and that is not OK for our kiddos.

My feelings on this is that the H1N1 is just a flu vax...just like every other seasonal vax...so I am trying not to worry...too much! It is my understanding that if H1N1 would have shown up a couple of weeks sooner, it simply would have been included in the seasonal vax. I DO have confidence in the seasonal one...my kids got it in early September and all was fine.

My gut feeling on this is that I would rather take the chance with the it than take the chance that my kids end up getting sick. It's tough!! But our pedi 100% reccommends getting it and is giving it to her children.

Good luck!

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Wanda Vanhorn

Posted Wednesday, October 21, 2009 10:13 PM

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Last Login: Thursday, October 29, 2009 11:23 PM
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I hope you and your little one feel better soon.

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NancyA

Posted Thursday, October 22, 2009 2:17 PM

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HI

My 6 yr old daughter was DX with Poly Jra since 4/09. She had already received her seasonal Flu vaccine this year. As a healthcare worker it is my understanding as well that had the H1N1 become a pandemic earlier in the year it would have been included in the regular seasonal Flu vaccine.

I was hesitant in allowing my daughter to receive the H1N1 since it was created rather quickly as opposed to the seasonal flu which I thought took months and months. BUT after seeing the 60 minutes episode last week about the boy in Arkansas who is 15 and on life support due to H1N1 that caused a secondary Pneumonia, We changed our mind.
One has to weigh the pros and the cons. If anyone decides to give it to their children it must be the injection form which is not LIVE. I hope everyone comes to a decision soon and which is best for their child. BTW Rheumy's recommend it.
cbsnews.com has his story on their homepage.

Nancy

Post #4248572

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CatP

Posted Friday, October 23, 2009 3:16 PM

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My JIA daughter is 3 and she is scheduled to receive her first injection for H1N1 vaccine on Tues. I am pregnant and recieved mine a few days ago. So far I have had no reaction to it. I understand the H1N1 vaccine to just be a vaccine to another strain of flu.

Vaccinations always scare me, but I'd say the possible effects of the H1N1 flu infection scare me more.

FYI, my daughter is not on a biologic but she is taking Methotrexate.

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ColleenR

Posted Tuesday, October 27, 2009 1:00 PM

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Hi-
We did the seasonal flu vaccine and have been waiting anxiously for the H1N1.... it's finally available in our area and we have an appt this Thursday. My daughter is currently on MTX and Naprosyn... so there is some theory that the MTX might decrease the efficacy of the vaccine.... but I still think it's worth it. The shot is created exactly the same as the seasonal flu shot, and we have been getting those every year.

A friend of mine from the AF has two kids with JA - and her son Andy came down with H1N1 on Monday, Oct 12. It progressed alarmingly quickly, and they were at the emergency room by night time. Poor Andy spent 10 days in the ICU, heavily sedated and intubated due to the flu and pneumonia. I followed his carepage every day... and he just got out of the hospital yesterday after two weeks. I don't want to risk that and I believe the vaccine is safe.
Best hopes-
Colleen

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Charlotte Poltarec

Posted Tuesday, October 27, 2009 5:23 PM

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I just started with Enbrel this past Friday. According to my rheumatologist, I can get both the seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccines. In fact, he insists upon it. I got the seasonal flu shot before my first Enbrel injection. I just need to NOT get a live vaccine. So it has to be the shot - no nasal spray.

Side note - Enbrel is a MIRACLE! I had a marked improvement within 12 hours. I feel like I got my life back!

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Richard G

Posted Tuesday, November 10, 2009 3:09 AM

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I have been taking Enbrel for over 2 years now, with amazing results. I am in full remission, and lead a very active lifestyle. Ironically, I actually have hardly gotten sick while on Enbrel - I used to get sick 5-6 times a year, but have only been ill once on Enbrel for about 24 hours - I caught a cold from my girlfriend!

I just had the H1N1 shot today, and feel absolutely fine. No pain, no swelling, and now I have less worry about getting sick. You don't have anything to worry about - and while the Enbrel may reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine itself, some protection is better than none. Don't think about it - just go and get it :-)

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MoK

Posted Thursday, November 12, 2009 11:53 PM

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My son is on MTX and pred. Got his first H1N1 vaccine 9 days ago, and is feeling fine with no ill effects. Got his seasonal flu vaccine this afternoon. ( We were also able to get my daughter vaccinated today for the seasonal flu and her first H1N1. yay!) Just wanted to let you all know that he was doing well after the H1N1 vaccine. It was from a multidose vial.

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Theresa Wren

Posted Friday, November 13, 2009 11:13 AM

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What I want to know is how you are finding the H1N1 vaccine? We are in central California and our pediatricians don't have it, even the Children's Hospital doesn't have it yet. A friend of ours waited in line for the Health Department clinic to get the vaccine and they ran out after a few hours. It is so frustrating when the experts are screaming for everyone to get vaccinated and yet there are no vaccinations to be found.

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MoK

Posted Sunday, November 15, 2009 11:31 AM

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We were lucky, I think. The rheumatologist had just gotten a few doses of the H1N1 vaccine the day my son had his appointment, so we got his there. But, they hadn't had any until then, and they're in the children's hospital. My daughter could take the H1N1 mist vaccine, and her pediatrician had a small surplus only because 1) most high risk kids can't get the mist, and 2) they were saving it to vaccinate siblings of high risk kids. My kids actually got 2 baby doses of the seasonal flu vaccine instead of one child dose, because it was all the pediatrician had. Again, the pediatricians were saving it for the high risk kids after they had vaccinated all the babies in their practice. I still can't find any vaccine for myself. So frustrating. Good luck to everyone who is trying to find it out there.

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