The ME Association is continually updating its website information and =
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 for =
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 38 replies so far.
Overall, most people have reported one or more 'minor problems' with the =
vaccine. =20
Four people (one with severe ME) have 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, =
sore throat, nausea and wanting to sleep more than normal. A significant =
number have also had what appears to be a temporary exacerbation of =
their ME/CFS fatigue +/- joint or muscle pain.
However, six people (6/38) have reported a more prolonged and serious =
exacerbation/relapse of their ME/CFS. In one case the vaccination has =
been linked to an attack of shingles, which resulted in hospitalisation.
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.
One person has reported an improvement in their ME/CFS symptoms - =
something that is occasionally reported with ordinary flu vaccine and =
some other vaccinations.
The MEA will continue to monitor the response of people with ME/CFS to =
swine flu vaccine. =20
If you have been vaccinated against swine flu, please let us know what =
happened afterwards and (if possible) the brand of vaccine used
.
Dr Charles Shepherd
Hon Medical Adviser, ME Association
9 December 2009
---------------------------------------------
Send posts to CO-CURE@listserv.nodak.edu
Unsubscribe at http://www.co-cure.org/unsub.htm
Co-Cure Archives: http://listserv.nodak.edu/archives/co-cure.html
---------------------------------------------
Co-Cure's purpose is to provide information from across the spectrum of
opinion concerning medical, research and political aspects of ME/CFS and/or
FMS. We take no position on the validity of any specific scientific or
political opinion expressed in Co-Cure posts, and we urge readers to
research the various opinions available before assuming any one
interpretation is definitive. The Co-Cure website <www.co-cure.org> has a
link to our complete archive of posts as well as articles of central
importance to the issues of our community.
---------------------------------------------
