guidance for people with ME/CFS in relation to swine flu, Tamiflu and =
swine flu vaccination.
The latest update can be found at the MEA website: =
http://www.meassociation.org.uk.
We are also asking for feedback from people who have been given swine =
flu vaccine. Feedback so far has been limited due to the fact that some =
doctors do not accept that ME/CFS could be a high priority illness fot =
vaccination purposes. Consequently, most of the feedback has been from =
people who have had the vaccine for employment purposes (eg health =
service staff) or they have another illness that is clearly in the NHS =
high priority list (eg asthma).
We have had 16 replies so far.
Overall, most people have reported relatively minor problems with the =
vaccine. And one person (severe ME) had no problems at all.
One or more 'minor' adverse reactions, in particular local soreness and =
sometimes swelling at the injection site, have been frequently reported. =
Other 'minor' adverse reactions include feeling feverish, headaches, =
nausea and wanting to sleep more than normal. The majority of people =
have also had what appears to be a temporary exacerbation of their =
ME/CFS fatigue +/- joint or muscle pain.
However, three people (3/16) have reported a more prolonged and serious =
exacerbation/relapse of their ME/CFS.
Of particular concern is a single report of a previously fit adolescent =
who has developed a number of ME/CFS type symptoms four days after his =
vaccination. Whilst this link to the vaccination may be pure =
co-incidence, we do know that ME/CFS can occasionally be triggered by =
vaccinations, including the normal flu vaccine. This case is being =
reported to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority =
(MHRA) by The MEA on the Yellow Card reporting system. And it is very =
important to make sure that doctors in the UK report all suspected =
adverse events to swine flu vaccination to the MHRA.
The MEA will continue to monitor the response of people with ME/CFS to =
swine flu vaccine. =20
If you have been vaccinated, please let us know what happened =
afterwards.
Dr Charles Shepherd
Hon Medical Adviser, ME Association
29 November 2009
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