Question
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?
Answer
This vaccine provides a high level of protection against pneumococcal infections – caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae – which can lead to pneumonia, or septicaemia (blood poisoning), as well as meningitis. All of which can be very serious, cause permanent brain damage and be fatal. A single dose of the vaccine provides lifelong protection.
Healthy people do not appear to have any significant problems with side-effects from this vaccine. Minor side effects can include a mild fever and soreness and/or swelling at the injection site. Serious side-effects appear to be very rare. The pneumococcal vaccine is being routinely offered to people over the age of 65 and those with other health conditions that place them at increased risk from this infection.
However, if you have had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccination in the past, do let your doctor know as this may contraindicate its use. I only know of a small number of people with ME/CFS who have received the vaccination so far and we have not received any reports of significant reactions occurring. But that is no guarantee that you will not have any side-effects, or an exacerbation of your ME/CFS symptoms. If there are good indications for having this protection (and a pneumococcal infection would probably cause a significant relapse in ME/CFS), it is something that you should seriously consider and discuss with your GP.
More information
- The NHS: Pneumococcal Vaccine: Different types of vaccine, who should have it, how the vaccine works, effectiveness, side-effects | February 2019
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MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
Information provided by The ME Association should not be construed as medical advice. Don't assume any new or worsened symptoms are simply the result of having ME/CFS or Long Covid. We recommend that any information you deem relevant is discussed with your NHS GP as soon as possible. It is important that you seek personalised medical advice from the GP who is in charge of your care and who knows you well.