Just wondered if anyone has had recent experience of having replacement vaccinations after Stem Cell Transplant. Diagnosed with MM in Oct 20 and due STC in August 21. I know it takes 3-6 months recovery and vaccines are normally scheduled for the 6 month point. I’m feeling anxious already knowing I will have no protection over this 6 month period for covid. I saw one of the haematologist from Oxford doing a webinar suggesting that he would be happy for people who have had their own stem cells back to have a covid vaccine 1 month after the transplant. Not sure my oncologist will agree with that but I thought of asking for a covid vac at 3 months maybe? Of course I dont know how effective it will be but I did use Testing For All a couple of weeks ago and had antibodies of 1360 pre transplant so my body did mount some defence. I’m still shielding as the safest option though as are most of us…
Hi @Lyn99, I am sorry I cannot help medically but what I do share is your confusion and feelings around medical experts opinions and also antibody tests and actually what the results mean.
Yes, I think that you have the right idea of being ‘better safe than sorry’ and I am also still shielding till I see what happens as restrictions are eased for the rest of the world.
I will emerge into the world when I am happy to.
Take care and keep asking your questions of the medical experts.
Please let us know how you get on.
Lynne,
I understand your concern. I would just check with your Haematologist or your Nurse Specialist. I remember having my childhood vaccinations again after my stem cell transplant but to be honest cannot remember how long after my sct. I understand why you are keen to shield until you have the Covid vaccine. I am meeting some friends but before we do we agree to do a lateral flow test the day before as a precaution as I do want to join the real world but only safely. Not going anywhere crowded such as shops etc. Anyway look after yourself and take care. Joan
Hi @Lyn99 I had a SCT in 2019 and had my replacement vaccines in 2020 during lockdown. It was quite a few months after but not due to any concern, more because they forgot. At the time of the SCT I was told that 6 months was the appropriate time to have them but I ended up having to push for them and organise it with my GP myself as the hospital washed their hands of it. You should certainly discuss it with your team and get something in the diary for both the replacements and Covid even if they are not immediately.
Thanks Franko, it sounds from your experience that it goes back to being your own responsibility to organise after the sct, particularly as they forgot! I will take advice from my medical team and see if I can get anything a bit sooner and hopefully be able to organise covid vac within a few months in my own surgery. I will definately get it in the diary.
Thanks Erica, I think I need to man up, well woman up a bit with the experts. I find them a bit daunting sometimes and I need to start asking more questions. I wish it was like the forum, so much easier to ask what you really want to know!
Hi Joan, the real world…bit of a distant memory. Sounds like you have got things sorted with friends. I like the testing idea. I have an appointment with medical team next week so will discuss the covid vaccine worries. We will emerge when we feel safe, I’m going to stay in my chrysalis for the moment!
Hi @Lyn99 a consultation is of equals, the medics might be the medical experts, probably training in their 20’s, but we are experts on our own bodies, we’ve had them all our lives.
Womaning up takes practice, but I feel better about myself when I do it !!!
Let us know how you get on.