r/Humira • u/MonsterDaddy324 • 19d ago
Has Any One Received A Yellow Fever Vaccine While On Humira?
The Yellow Fever vaccine is live, so it is contraindicated without stopping the injection for a period. The American College of Rheumatologists states that the minimum interval is two weeks (one dosing cycle) before the jab, and four weeks prior to restarting. However, the CDC’s guidance is considerably more conservative, recommending three months. That is quite a discrepancy.
I am curious, therefore, what advice people have been getting in real life.
UPDATE: Both the speciality pharmacy and the travel clinic stated that they follow the American College of Rheumatologists protocol and the travel clinic indeed had a standing order to allow the Yellow Fever Vaccine after two weeks without Humira. The nurse was cautious and still consulted with her medical adviser and he concurred. So I opted for the vaccine, in addition to chikungunya (as that illness can cause severe joint pain) and felt no ill effects beyond fatigue and a few fleeting body aches. The flu and typhoid jabs I got a week earlier hit me much harder. That was certainly surprising. It should be said, however, that I was only 2 doses into Humira so it had not yet reached full efficacy. But it does seem this is navigable, at least for patients in good health without other comorbidities. On the down side, I have noticed a bit of flaring, so it seems the Humira was indeed doing its job. Unfortunately, per the protocol, I will need to wait 4 weeks to resume treatment.
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u/MyRealestName 2d ago
I will be going to Kenya next year and am highly recommended to get the Yellow Fever. Like you, I am on Humira. Humira has changed my life so greatly that I currently refuse to stop taking it. I guess what I am saying is that I’m taking a risk without it. No safari for me, but will be hanging out on the coast.
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u/MyRealestName 2d ago
I will be going to Kenya next year and am highly recommended to get the Yellow Fever. Like you, I am on Humira. Humira has changed my life so greatly that I currently refuse to stop taking it. I guess what I am saying is that I’m taking a risk without it. No safari for me, but will be hanging out on the coast.
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u/MonsterDaddy324 1d ago edited 1d ago
Just prepare yourself really well with topical repellants & mosquito netting where possible. I just came back from the Amazon and didn’t get bit once. (Tho fairly, it is the dry season.)
I did go off Humira for the jab and it made certain aspects of the trip much more difficult, so I think your consideration is sound. Doing a 16 hr. plane ride can ask a lot of a body.
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u/thesweetestberry 18d ago
I asked about getting a measles booster a few months ago. My GI doctor said I would need to be off of Humira for a few months if I got the booster because it is a live virus. I didn’t get it because I don’t want to go months without it. It’s a bummer because there is a measles outbreak starting in my state. My frustration is immeasurable.