Flu shot and Stelera

[Imapsomom]

Looks like the boy will be starting Stelara in a couple weeks. He hasn't had the flu shot this year, I know the Stelara will lower his immunity to flu's and colds and it is a bad flu year over here. I will discuss with the medical professionals, so of course know this is opinion only, but what are your thoughts on flu shot and psoriasis? I read somewhere (here?) that some people think the flu shot aggravates P. I also wonder about the interactions between drugs AND if it is the prudent thing to do if there is no interactions.

[Caroline]

To speak for myself I have never seen and felt any relation between a flu shot and my Psoriasis.

But logically speaking, the Stelara lowers a part of the immune system, so logically there is an extra vulnerability for attacks that involve the immune system.
Again logically. During my time on DMF, which does the same as Stelara, but in a more slow way, I have found that I hardly was sick, apart from a once a year flu.

[jiml]

I'm on Fumaderm (DMF) and have a flu shot and it has no effect on my psoriasis and as far as my thinking goes is the the worst you will get is slight cold symptoms and whatever you do it will be better than getting flu
But a good idea to ask the health professionals about it

[JohnB]

My Dermy clinic insist on flu jab if you are on any of the oral systemics, so I'm guessing it will be the same for bios. I don't think it made my Ps worse as it was well under way to being nasty when I had my jab. Had fly at the end of 1999 and spent 4 days in hospital with it I don't want to go there again.

[Fred]

I have never had a flu jab and I rarely get the flu, if I do it's never any worse than Mrs Fred.

You can have the flu jab with Stelara as long as it's not a "Live Vaccine" I'm pretty sure it's not a live one as I'm always offered it by my dermatologist (which I refuse), but best to check with your dermatologist.

[D Foster]

I have always had a flu jab even when I was on MTX and now on Stelara with no problems, just make sure that you don't have any that are live vaccines such as shingles.

[Turnedlight]

I’ve just been told not only do they want us to have the flu jab but also the pneumonia one - apparently it’s a live vaccine but one that’s ok with bios.
Personally I’m doubtful I’ll have either. But your son is a youngster and mixing with loads of germs and viruses so I’m not sure.. I do know that as I’m just starting up on humira again, it’s best to wait for the flu jab until I’ve got past the loading doses. So are they suggesting your son has his flu jab ahead of the Stelara or during the start of his treatment?

[D Foster]

No the vaccine is inactive so not a problem. The flu shot is also inactive.

[Kat]

The doctor's here really push the flu shot... even MORE so with being on biologics it seems. The thought being that with the immune system being lowered that a flu shot is even more important.

I've always been a bit leery of flu shots, but I've been getting them (although I haven't got mine for this year yet) Also the pneumonia shot and starting next year the shingles vaccine..... I really thought all those vaccinations ended when I was a kid!

[D Foster]

The doctor's here really push the flu shot... even MORE so with being on biologics it seems.  The thought being that with the immune system being lowered that a flu shot is even more important.  

I've always been a bit leery of flu shots, but I've been getting them (although I haven't got mine for this year yet)  Also the pneumonia shot and starting next year the shingles vaccine..... I really thought all those vaccinations ended when I was a kid!

The shingles vaccine in UK is a live vaccine so be careful Kat because with Stelara you should not have live vaccine.