In the UK the Covid-19 vaccine is being rolled out to people of all ages. Many people with lupus may be questioning if the Covid-19 vaccine is safe for them and question if they should have it. The short answer is yes, the Covid-19 vaccine is safe for people with lupus to have, however it is important that you educate yourself beforehand. In this blog we will cover what you need to know!
Research has shown that Covid-19 can be extremely severe or even fatal for people that suffer from a serious underlying health condition, such as lupus. The medication that people with lupus take (immunosuppressants) can also put you at a higher risk.
For this reason, it is said that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the possible risks that come with it, however like everything, it is important that you talk to your doctor about your individual needs before you go ahead with the vaccine.
How does the vaccine work?
Like all vaccines, the Covid-19 vaccine exposes you to a small dose of a safe version of the virus, triggering the body to produce antibodies against the virus. Therefore, if the virus enters the body in the future the immune system will quickly react and hopefully stop the symptoms from being severe.
What are the possible side effects?
All vaccines can trigger a reaction. This will usually occur within 24-72 after the vaccine. Here are some of the most common symptoms that people report:
Fevers
Pain or swelling at the site of the injection
Headaches
Aching joints
Fatigue
Chills
As mentioned before, it is important that you talk to your doctor before you go ahead with the vaccine.
This article is intended to inform and give insight but not treat, diagnose or replace the advice of a doctor. Always seek medical advice with any questions regarding a medical condition.