Common Variable Immunodeficiency Support Group
Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a group of 20-30 primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) which have a common set of symptoms but with different underlying causes. CVID's underlying causes are different, but the result of these are that the body doesn't produce sufficient antibodies in response to exposure to pathogens.
Hi all, my immunologist said that I should get a flu shot. Then he said that I might need 2. Then he said that it might not work. Then my pulmonologist said that I should get a flu shot. Then he said they never give 2. Then he said that it might not work but couldn't hurt. I showed no response to the pnumovax, it was as if I never had it. They wanted me well for the shot and I have had a little cough and bronchitis a few times this winter so I have not had it yet. I have little faith that it will do me any good or that my body will even recognize it. What do you all think? Have any of you had the flu shot or had a recommendation for it?
Why do we recommend that everyone be immunized? First, some patients with a primary immunodeficiency may benefit from the vaccine. Even if they do not, there is little down side to receiving the inactivated vaccine. Family members who are able to respond to the vaccine will be protected (a good thing in its own right). Even if the patient with primary immunodeficiency does not respond to the immunization, he or she will benefit from having everyone else in the family protected from infection and not susceptible to bringing the virus home with them. We want to create a protective cocoon of immunized persons surrounding our patients so that they have less chance of being exposed. It would be a good strategy to encourage employers to provide influenza immunization programs at the place of work and schools to similarly encourage immunization of the student body to further extend this cocoon.
Here is the link for the full article:
http://primaryimmune.org/treatment-information/flu-information
I have heard people complain that it is only 60% effective which to me, is better than 0% effective :) Hope this info is useful!
The only caveat I have been given is NOT to get the live flu-shot nasal spray...need to get the killed version of the shot.
=)
Andrea
Like you, this year was hard to get my shot, as I kept fighting bronchitis, strep throat, sinus infections and staph infections, but I squeezed it in.