Information for people who have autoimmune neuromuscular and neurological conditions

Why is planning for a COVID-19 vaccine important?

Preparing for your vaccine is important, because people with autoimmune neuromuscular and neurological conditions who take some medications and treatments may want to talk to their health-care provider about timing their vaccine with their medications and treatments.
It is also important that you monitor how you are feeling in the days leading up to your vaccine appointment. If you do not feel well, rebook for when you are feeling better.

Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine? Will the vaccine work for me?

All of the COVID-19 vaccines available in Canada are safe, and they do not contain any live virus. The vaccines cannot give you COVID-19.
Doctors and researchers have looked at the evidence. They agree that unless you have a very serious allergy to any of the vaccine ingredients, you should strongly consider getting the COVID-19 vaccine because you have a higher chance of experiencing severe symptoms if you get COVID-19.
People who take immune suppressing and immune modulating therapies weren’t included in the clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccine. We do not know exactly how much protection the vaccine will give people who take these medications compared with people who don’t.
However, the way the vaccines work means that there is a strong chance that your immune system will learn to protect you, to some degree, from COVID-19.

What about the medications or treatments that I take?

For people taking some immune suppressing or immune modulating therapies, timing your vaccine around your treatment may help the vaccine to work best. This decision should be made in consultation with your health-care providers.
While we do not have specific information on immune suppressing and immune modulating therapies and their impact on the response to the COVID-19 vaccines, we do have information from other vaccines.
If you are not sure which medication you take and/or if you have any concerns or questions at all please contact your health-care provider.

You may book your vaccination appointment without delay if you are taking any of the following therapies:

Talk to your health-care provider about timing your vaccine around your treatment if you are taking any of the following therapies:

There are two options you can discuss with your health-care provider:

Option #1: Do not change medication dosing and go ahead and book your vaccine appointment.
Option #2: Adjust your medication to optimize your immune system’s response to the COVID-19 vaccine.

This decision should be made with your health care provider. Together, you should take into consideration your risk of getting COVID-19 and your risk of having a flare up of your condition if you alter your medication timing. Please reach out to them before you book your vaccine appointment.

If you don’t see your medication listed:

If you don’t see your medication listed, or if you take medications for another condition and you aren’t sure if you need to worry about timing, talk to your health-care provider.

How else should I plan for my vaccine appointment?

Review COVID-19 Immunization Plan for Newfoundland and Labrador
In the 2-3 days leading up to your vaccine monitor yourself: are any of the typical symptoms of your condition new or getting worse? If you aren’t feeling well, rebook your vaccine appointment for another day. Consider reaching out to your health care provider about your worsening symptoms.
You can feel safe going to a COVID-19 vaccination location, as they are following all COVID-19 safety precautions.

What or who should I bring with me?

Please bring your non-expired MCP card to your appointment.
You can bring any medical or mobility equipment that you need.
If you need to, you can bring a trusted friend, family member, or caregiver with you to support you through the process and/or translate for you as needed. Please only bring one person.

What happens after my vaccine?

Everyone who gets a COVID-19 vaccine will stay on location to be monitored for 15 minutes after they receive their vaccine.
If you have any new or worsening symptoms once you go home, please call your health
care provider or 8-1-1. If you have a severe allergic reaction, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Everyone will have to continue following COVID-19 public health measures, even after getting their vaccine.

My vaccine planning checklist

Read the COVID-19 vaccine information for my condition(s)
Time my vaccine appointment around my medication and treatments (if relevant to me)
Talk to my doctor if I have any questions or need any help planning my medication
Monitor how I’m feeling leading up to my vaccination appointment. Is anything new or getting worse compared to how I usually feel?
Make sure I am feeling my usual self on the day of my vaccine appointment
Plan to bring the medical and mobility equipment I need with me

April 23, 2021