Should Lyme disease patients with an impaired immune system get the COVID-19 vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) posted mRNA COVID-19 vaccination considerations for people who have a weakened immune system. “People with HIV and those with weakened immune systems due to other illnesses or medication might be at increased risk for severe COVID-19.” [1] Individuals with Lyme disease, who may have an impaired immune system, have expressed concern over the vaccine.
People can have an impaired immune system from an overactive and underactive immune response. “A strong immune system responds appropriately to the challenge; a weak immune system may over-respond or under-respond,” explains Kostoff and colleagues in the journal International Journal of Molecular Medicine. [2] Should Lyme patients get the COVID-19 vaccine?
They added, “A weakened immune system appears to be the main determinant of serious/fatal reaction to viral infection (for COVID-19, SARS, and influenza alike).”
Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are examples of an over-response of the immune system. Lyme disease is another example of an overactive immune response. [3]
The CDC report touched on the risk to individuals with a weakened immune system in developing a severe COVID-19 infection. [1] It acknowledges that there is limited safety data on the use of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccination in individuals with an impaired immune system. “Information about the safety of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for people who have weakened immune systems in this group is not yet available.”
The report pointed out that, “People with weakened immune systems should also be aware of the potential for reduced immune responses to the vaccine, as well as the need to continue following all current guidance to protect themselves against COVID-19.”
The CDC guidance report was issued to allow individuals with a weakened immune system to make “an informed decision about receiving the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.”
The authors point out that there is little information above the vaccine’s impact on individuals with autoimmune conditions. “They should be aware that no data are currently available on the safety of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for them.” Nevertheless, the authors advised treatment.
Editor’s note: It is clear that COVID-19 can be severe for some individuals. There is a paucity of information on the risks and benefits of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccination for Lyme disease patients. I have been advising my patients to take the mRNA COVID-19 vaccination based on a review of the risks and benefits. Some doctors have advised against taking the COVID-19 vaccination based on their risk and benefit assessment.
Related Articles:
Are you reluctant to take the COVID-19 vaccine?
Opinion: Low COVID-19 vaccine trust among Lyme disease patients
References:
- Vaccination Considerations for Persons with Underlying Medical Conditions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/underlying-conditions.html Last accessed 12/31/20.
- Kostoff RN, Briggs MB, Porter AL, Aschner M, Spandidos DA, Tsatsakis A. [Editorial] COVID19: Postlockdown guidelines. Int J Mol Med. Aug 2020;46(2):463-466. doi:10.3892/ijmm.2020.4640
- Aucott JN, Soloski MJ, Rebman AW, et al. CCL19 as a Chemokine Risk Factor for Posttreatment Lyme Disease Syndrome: a Prospective Clinical Cohort Study. Clin Vaccine Immunol. Sep 2016;23(9):757-66. doi:10.1128/CVI.00071-16
Bonnie
06/09/2021 (2:31 pm)
Thanks for this valuable site. It has given me information to make a decision on whether to get the vaccine or not. I have had Lyme for 30 years and have severe reactions to a flu shot, so I will be not getting the Vivid vaccine.
G Larsen
06/30/2021 (3:46 pm)
Wow your reaction sounds very similar to mine. I hope we both find relief soon.
G Larsen
06/30/2021 (3:48 pm)
My comment is meant as a reply to Julianne.
Julianne Philp
07/13/2021 (9:33 pm)
How are you feeling now? I hope you are feeling better.
Madison Scanlan
05/11/2021 (10:09 am)
I have had Lyme for three years now. Didn’t get diagnosed for months. Took Doxy. I’m going in to get my 2nd Moderna shot now. I’m so scared! I’ve been sobbing and close to vomiting all morning. My reaction to my first shot was bad. I had chills, headache, vomiting, muscle pain and weakness/exhaustion. Very scared my reaction to this 2nd shot will be worse.
RITA WINSLADE
04/30/2021 (6:35 am)
I was diagnosed with Lyme disease early March 2021 and am taking doxycycline, as well as all sorts of supplements and concoctions from my naturopath. I am scheduled to get the Pfizer vaccine in a few days and am of course very concerned. Like others on this site, I believe my Lyme disease symptoms (numbness in hands, feet and face) were triggered by the flu vaccine in November 2020 (my second flu shot in all of my 62 years). Both my naturopath and family doctor have suggested I not get the Covid 19 vaccine until additional data is available. Since that could take years and since I don’t live in a bubble, I have decided to proceed with getting the vaccine. I wonder if we indicate « Lyme disease » on the vaccine questionnaire whether we would be denied the vaccine? I live in Canada. Good luck to all of us.
Tori
04/27/2021 (2:30 pm)
Dr. Cameron, do you know of a way to find out what to test for to even a little bit figure out if one is at risk for a vaccine adverse event? Things like PEG/Polysorbate-80 allergies, mast cell disorder, vascular and brain issues, genetic tests, things to do with clotting, existing viruses that could reactivate, vitamin deficiencies, blood pressure, blood sugar, immune system things, other underlying conditions? I don’t know where to start. Of course I realize it would not be the whole answer or even a small part, but getting tests might help me get over my vaccine hesitancy (if nothing is found, that is). Thank you.
Dr. Daniel Cameron
04/29/2021 (7:10 am)
I have not run into any information on who is at risk of an adverse event. It would help to reduce vaccine hesitancy.
Amy Fein
04/22/2021 (1:09 pm)
I have chronic Lyme, Babesia and Bartonella. I’ve been in remission feeling great for 14 months. I received my 2nd Moderna shot 2 weeks ago and I now have Bart symptoms. AND…the reemergence of an old bullseye. Exactly the same presentation in exactly the same place. Hi Dr. Cameron!!!!!
Susan Kalowski
05/04/2021 (6:47 am)
Amy Fein- the same thing happened to my 27 year old son. Two weeks after his second moderna vaccine his neuropathies flared up and his Bartonella
Symptoms returned.
Did you go back on antibiotics immediately ? He has a call with his LLMD to decide what to do . I would
Appreciate your feedback and interested to know how you are doing now . Thanks
Marcie
05/09/2021 (6:31 am)
My symptoms flared after the second shot. It’s been a month and I’m still not well. I was feeling 90% better prevaccine. Very discouraging.
Diane
07/14/2021 (1:41 pm)
Marcie… how are you feeling now since being fully vaccinated? What are your symptoms ? Are you on any treatment?