MEDICAL MATTERS

  • Medical Matters features questions asked by Members of the ME Association on health-related topics.
  • Dr Charles Shepherd and the ME Association's other advisers answer these questions by sharing their expert knowledge.
  • Medical Matters is based on the popular ‘Ask the Doctor’ series in ME Essential magazine.
  • It is a free resource that supplements the detailed information contained in the full range of literature that can be found in the website shop.

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Questions in the Category: Vaccines

Vaccinations: Autumn Covid Booster 2023

ME Essential Autumn 2023

Can you help me reach an informed decision about the 2023 Autumn Covid Booster vaccination?

Vaccinations: Covid-19

ME Essential Spring 2023

I appreciate that people with ME/CFS can have an exacerbation of symptoms following any type of vaccination, and that a significant minority have had a more severe and persisting adverse reaction to the Covid vaccines. However, I am still keen to continue having this protection so as long as the Covid-19 virus remains in circulation.

My 2022 Autumn Covid Booster resulted in a moderate exacerbation of ME/CFS symptoms – which lasted for about 4 weeks. So I’m querying whether it might be more sensible to allow people with ME/CFS to split the dose in half and have two smaller doses on two separate occasions. I discussed this with my GP but he wasn’t very supportive and has declined to do so. What do you think?

Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme

ME Essential Summer 2022

There was an interesting item on the BBC news ( https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-61898694 ) about the first payment being made under something called the vaccine damage payments scheme (VDPS) to the relative of someone who had suffered a fatal adverse reaction to the Oxford Astra Zenca COVID-19 vaccine.

The BBC article also referred to a lady who “…..was unable to work for a year after developing VITT (vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia) and struggles with chronic fatigue, migraines and brain fog and fears her job could be at risk – but believes she will not be considered 60% disabled”.

As someone who has had a significant and prolonged (now over a year) relapse of ME following this vaccine do you think it is worth making a claim? And does this scheme also cover people who have developed ME after other types of vaccination?

Vaccines: Shingles

ME Essential Winter 2021

As I’m 70 I’ve been offered the shingles vaccine. I have had ME since 2016, consider myself to be severe, and already suffer from nerve pain. So I do not want to make things worse. But I’m also aware of people with ME who have had a significant exacerbation of symptoms following a vaccination. So should I have this vaccine?

Long Covid: Vaccinations

ME Essential Autumn 2021

Long Covid seems to have a lot of symptoms in common with ME/CFS and I know that the MEA has been pointing this out since it soon became apparent that some people were not returning to normal health after catching Covid-19.

One of the important differences between Long Covid and ME/CFS appears to be how people with both conditions react to vaccinations. Those with ME/CFS often report an exacerbation of ME/CFS symptoms and this can sometimes be quite severe and persistent. But there are now numerous reports about people with Long Covid feeling a lot better after having a Covid-19 vaccination and in some cases even recovering from Long Covid. Do we know why this is occurring? And could it have any implications for ME/CFS?

Vaccines: Pneumococcal (Pneumonia)

ME Essential Summer 2019

I have been offered the pneumococcal vaccine by my GP as I am over 65. I have had mild to moderate ME/CFS for about 10 years. My immediate reaction was to say NO WAY, as I find any infection causes a crash that lasts for weeks. I also understand that vaccinations can sometimes trigger ME/CFS, or cause a relapse of existing ME/CFS. I appreciate that this vaccine provides protection against an infection that can have serious consequences for the elderly and other people with health conditions that place them at increased risk. So, do you know of any people with ME/CFS who have had this vaccine?

Charles Shepherd

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