Thoughts on immune-boosting adjuvants in SF vaccine?

[Wonderfulworld]

These articles came out in recent papers in Ireland (authoratitive paper - not tabloid)

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/wor ... 46987.html

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/fro ... 59631.html

It seems as if the only swine flu vaccine available in Ireland yet is Pandemrix - and this contains an "Immune boosting adjuvant" as well as thiomersal (mercury) in 5 micrograms.

I am keen to get the alternative vaccine Calvepan - but this could mean a wait of a few weeks. I have MS and asthma and I'm concerned.

What do others think about the use of the adjuvant, and it's supposed immune boosting effect - and MS.? And thiomersal and MS?
It seems as if all the choices are grey at the moment - nothing is black & white.

[lyndacarol]

Back in the 1970s there was a flu season with another swine flu. A vaccine with several adjuvants was developed; many people who got the vaccine developed paralysis attributed to Guillain-Barré. Since that time, the official analysis is that the paralysis (Guillain-Barré) was caused by the adjuvants.

Personally, I would try to avoid vaccines with adjuvants or the preservative thimerosal.

However, these are different times and it is a different swine flu (H1-N1); I am sure the developers of today's vaccine would be VERY careful to avoid the problems of 30 years ago.

[Wonderfulworld]

Thanks Lynda
yes it sounds as if adjuvants are a thing to avoid.
Luckily it has been confirmed that adjuvant/thiomersal-free vaccines will be available next week at the vaccination clinics. I'm relieved.
I think the SF vaccine will be enough for my body to cope with!

[Meegs]

due to my job i come into contact with thousands of people a week, especially over the next month, so I decided I'd rather take a chance with the adjuvant version of the shot rather than wait till who knows when for the non-adjuvant.

So far, I feel fine! Got the shot about 3 pm today and all is well.
I've never had a reaction to flu shots in the past either...

Hope your'e all well!

[Just_Me]

Which H1N1 vaccine you get is not even an issue here - you can't get any of them. They urge people to get it and then they don't have enough.

[Meegs]

Just_me, where are you at?
Here in Canada only 'high risk' groups are getting vaccinated for the time being as there is a shortage of the shot by the drug maker.

[Just_Me]

I'm in Los Angeles County in So California & from what I've read only people eligible for free medical (without insurance) are eligible for the vaccine! Its rediculous. The doctors offices can't get it & I could go to a county clinic and lie about my status but I don't want to spend hours hanging around in a county clinic with possibly sick people anyway.

Just a FYI - Los Angeles county started giving clinics to anybody highrisk not long after I posted this and I was able to get the vaccine for me & my kids. I took my kids out of school early ant it took about 45 min in line. I think it was short because it was during school hours. Somebody I know waited 5 hrs at a different clinic.

Now seasonal flu vax is in short supply. I got it a while back but it took a long time for my kids pediatrician to get them in, and they said they may run out again. The earliest appt I could get for my kids is for next Fri if they still have enough.

[scoobyjude]

Found this question on About.com Multiple Sclerosis. A doctor answers the questions posted.

Q. Am I more susceptible to H1N1 because I have multiple sclerosis?
Wednesday November 4, 2009

I recently got the following e-mail: "I have MS and I guess that means that I have a weak immune system because I seem to catch every cold that is going around. Once I get a cold, it turns into something worse and I end up coughing for a long time. Does this mean that I should not get the H1N1 vaccine, because is it dangerous to me with my compromised immune system?"

A. There are a couple of things going on here and I will try to clarify some points:

1. People with MS do NOT have weak or compromised immune systems. Quite the opposite, actually - our immune systems are overactive and are attacking our myelin.

2. It probably seems like you are getting sick more often than most people because of the symptoms that you are experiencing from minor infections. People with MS tend to have decreased lung function. Even people with very little noticeable disability can have lung function that is only 60 to 70% of normal. As a result, even little respiratory bugs can cause us to cough for much longer than someone without MS as these infections "settle in" to cause bronchitis or even pneumonia.

3. You absolutely SHOULD get the H1N1 vaccine. As mentioned, people with MS do not have compromised immune systems (for the record, immunocompromised people should also get the vaccine). The H1N1 virus is very dangerous to anyone who could easily develop pneumonia, which is our big risk factor due to the decreased lung function that I mentioned.

Here are a couple additional points about the H1N1 vaccine for people with MS:

People with MS should NOT get the nasal mist version of the vaccine, as it contains live virus.
If you are concerned about thimerosal, avoid the vaccine that comes from multi-dose vials. The single-dose syringes do NOT contain thimerosal.
Adjuvants are not included in the flu vaccines that are used in the United States.

[dignan]

From the MS Society of Canada, I found this:

All data to date indicates that adjuvanted vaccine is as safe as unadjuvated vaccine. Dr. O’Connor, National Scientific and Clinical Advisor to the MS Society of Canada, considers vaccine both with and without adjuvant to be safe for people with MS. If given a choice he suggests on theoretical ground that he would choose the unadjuvanted preparation, however reiterates that he considers both to be safe and effective.

http://www.mssociety.ca/en/flu_h1n1_vacc.htm

[Chris55]

I was watching a doctor on TV the other night...according to him, they have NO IDEA why the 1976 vaccine caused GB. Said it had never happened before..or since. Now that's reassuring ain't it??

[oreo]

Had an appointment with my GP today and I put the question to him:
H1N1 shot - yes or no?
Answer = YES.
Adjuvenated or Non-adjuvenated.
Answer = Makes no real difference. Adjuvant should have no effect on MS and does not conflict with interferon (Rebif) as it is a short-lived component of the vaccine.
I have an appointment to get the shot next week.

[Wonderfulworld]

Quick update for those of you cautious about the SF vaccine.
I got mine 2 days ago. Got Celvapan - the vaccine without adjuvant or thiomersal - and I had NO reaction at all. I felt no different at all since the vaccine. Another MS friend of mine had hers' last week and she's the same - no adverse effects.
HTH

[Meegs]

Quick update from me as well:

1 week after having the adjuvanted shot, I feel perfectly fine.

No adverse effects (minus a sore arm... but c'est la vie)

[carolew]

same here. I am in Ottawa, ontario, Canada. No reaction 10 days later. (received vaccine with adjuvent.

[robbie]

friend of a friend in Ontario Canada, late 40's no medical problems. started feeling ill after the shot and was dead in a week.I'm sure it will have nothing to do with getting the vaccine when it comes out in the media.