Russell Fleming, Content Manager, ME Association
The ME Association has been receiving an enormous number of queries from people with ME/CFS asking if they are going to be given high priority for the COVID-19 vaccine and whether it is safe to have any of the vaccines now available.
In response we have produced a comprehensive guide that aims to explain your vaccine options, your eligibility for a vaccine and that talks about the safety of these vaccines in relation to ME/CFS.
This is a free download from the COVID-19 literature section that can be located in the MEA website shop:
- Download: COVID-19 Vaccine Update | 11 January 2021
- Full range of COVID-19 & ME/CFS literature in website shop
We have written to the Chief Medical Officer (Professor Chris Whitty) and the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to ask for clarification as to where people with ME/CFS are on the JCVI vaccine priority list and we will let everyone know when we receive a reply:
- ME Association writes to Chief Medical Officer about vaccine priority for ME/CFS | 05 January 2021
- Forward-ME: Charity Statement on the COVID vaccine | 12 January 2021
The MEA Monthly Poll can be found in the right-hand margin of the website —>
We want to hear from you
We would like to hear from anyone with ME/CFS who has had a COVID-19 vaccine:
- Why did you receive the vaccine at this time?
- How did you feel after the inoculation?
- Did you experience any discomfort?
- Did you experience any side effects that might have included an exacerbation of your ME/CFS symptoms?
Most of the feedback we have received is coming from health workers with ME/CFS. None have regretted having the vaccine and most seem to be doing okay. But the numbers of people reporting their experiences to us is still quite small.
Some are reporting a temporary exacerbation of ME/CFS symptoms that tends to resolve within days. A few are reporting a more significant or persisting exacerbation of ME/CFS symptoms that resolve over a longer period.
There are no reports so far of any other side effects or serious side effects that are not related to ME/CFS.
Please include your comments in any of the discussions on COVID-19 vaccines that are taking place on ME Association Facebook, or send them direct to the ME Association via email: Feedback@meassociation.org.uk
We would really value hearing from you.
Are you going to have a COVID-19 vaccine when it is made available to you?
- Yes – Definitely
- Yes – I have already been vaccinated
- Yes – Probably
- Not sure – waiting for more information on possible side effects
- Not sure – waiting to see what happens to other people with ME/CFS who are vaccinated
- Probably not
- Definitely not
The MEA Monthly Poll can be found in the right-hand margin of the website —>
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