Flu and Pneumonia Vaccines
As the old saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This section has information on the seasonal influenza (flu) and pneumonia vaccines, as well as current and updated information on the H1N1 flu vaccine.
2010-2011 Flu Vaccine Update
Officials at the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) are aware of the concern that people with lupus have had about the 2009 outbreak of the H1N1 (Swine) Flu. Please know that the members of the LFA Medical-Scientific Advisory Council are continuing to monitor the possible impact of the 2010 flu virus on people with lupus. Any updated information will be posted on the lupus.org website as soon as it becomes available. More information is available in the Related Information section, below.
The influenza vaccine formulation is updated every year to combat the flu virus strains that are most likely to cause illness during the upcoming season. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine is being made in the same way as seasonal vaccines have been made for decades. It will protect against the 2009 H1N1 virus that caused so much illness last season, as well as offering protection against two other influenza viruses (an H3N2 virus and an influenza B virus).
Even if you received the 2009 H1N1 vaccine or last year’s seasonal vaccine, you need to be vaccinated with this year’s 2010 seasonal flu vaccine. This season’s vaccine provides protection against influenza virus strains that were not in either the seasonal or the 2009 H1N1 vaccine last season. Also, the protective effect of a vaccine can lessen over time.
Seasonal Flu Vaccine
The influenza vaccine (flu shot) is a highly effective vaccine made from an inactivated (killed) virus. It is given once a year to people who are at risk for complications of influenza infection. About two weeks after vaccination, the body develops antibodies that provide protection against the influenza virus infection.
It is thought, although there is not good evidence, that a vaccine against a particular infectious agent (such as a germ, bacteria, or virus) could occasionally trigger an autoimmune disease flare, but people with lupus generally do not have any side effects from the flu vaccine. When they do, their symptoms are usually mild, such as a few days of fever and muscle aches. Overall, the influenza vaccine is considered to be safe and effective for people with lupus, and it is recommended that lupus patients receive the flu vaccine every year.
Is There a Flu Vaccine that is NOT Recommended for those with lupus?
The inhaled flu prevention treatment (Flu-Mist®) is not recommended for people with lupus who are taking immunosuppressant medications, for their family or anyone with whom they come into close contact, because it contains a form of attenuated (weakened, but still live) virus; therefore it is not considered safe for people with any immune-compromising disorder, or anyone taking an immunosuppressant medications (prednisone or cyclophosphamide, for example).
What about the use of Thimerosal (Mercury) in the Flu Vaccine?
The use of Thimerosal has not been shown to increase lupus activity. According to the FDA, the 2010 seasonal influenza vaccines are being produced in two injectable formulations. You should consult with your doctor which formulation is recommended for you. The two formulations include:
• a multi-dose vial with thimerosal (a mercury derivative added as a preservative)
• a preservative-free, single-dose, pre-filled syringe without thimerosal
Pneumonia Vaccine
The pneumonia vaccine (pneumonia shot) is also recommended for people with lupus, and a second dose should be given five years after the first dose. This vaccine can help to prevent most (but not all) kinds of pneumonia.
How effective are the Flu and Pneumonia Vaccines for People with Lupus?
Several research studies showed that the flu vaccine caused a protective antibody response in people with lupus, although the antibody levels tended to be lower than in the healthy control group. Because illness and death related to influenza and pneumonia are more common in immunocompromised people, it is recommended that everyone with lupus receives the annual flu vaccine and pneumonia vaccine (every 5 – 7 years).
People with lupus should always talk with their doctor before receiving any vaccine, especially if they are pregnant or have had allergic reactions to medications in the past.
Protecting Yourself from the Flu and Pneumonia
Below are simple steps that people with lupus and their family members can take to lessen the likelihood of contracting influenza, pneumonia, and other germs.