Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Yellow Fever

Hi,
I am just wondering has anybody on Humira ever got a yellow fever vaccination? I want to travel in Africa but I need the yellow fever vaccine but the doctor won't give it to me as he says I am immuno-compromised, yellow fever vaccine is live and I will contract full blown yellow fever. Does anybody have any advice on this and has anybody traveled in Africa while on Humira?? Travelling is my life and I do not want AS or Humira to stop me!!
Thanks,
Ind.

Live vaccines are definitely out if you are on anti-tnfs. I think I'd be tempted to try and find a proper travel medicine clinic who understands the health issues for these diseases in the countries you are intending to travel, and ask them if there is a non-live vaccine available. If not, then I'd really question them lots about risk, how to avoid, whether they would consider it safe to travel there without having a vaccine. It is the kind of information you do need to get from people who keep really well up to date with travel medicine, and not just your basic GP.

If you don't have a specialist travel medicine clinic or service anywhere near you, you could try googling and even if its somewhere like London, I am sure you could make a phone call or email for advice. To get a sense of the risks, you could google travel advisories for the places you intend to go. I did that one time when I wasn't sure if I needed antimalarials for an area I was going - when I did find the information, it was clear that the region I was going to be going to had virtually no risk, even though other parts of the same country the risk was high. I'd still get final advice from a specialist though.

I agree with CEMC's advice I wouldnt want to get a vaccine while on Humira. Someone dear to me got the disease from a vaccine that was suppose to be preventing it ???
Can you call and see what the statistics are for contracting yellow fever in Africa? I hope you get to go and have a nice time, take care.

I saw this article today: Yellow Fever epidemic in Sudan

Personally, I'd avoid THAT area for sure if you travel with no vaccine. Good advice to check with a travel specialist AND a medical specialist regarding your travel. And no live-virus vaccines on biologics. Not worth the risk.

after 2 weeks the effects of Humira is done from what I understand... So If you are planning a trip to there.. plan it when you are relatively flare free (if you have a time of year that is better than others) and stop the Humira... before and during trip. when you are back ask if they can do blood test to see if you are safe to go back on humira..

Just thinking thats one way to deal with.

Also boost immune system if you get the vaccine.. with Oil of Oregano several times daily before and after you get it, and throughout travels. Its supposed to work as antiviral.. *(couple of drops under tongue)