Home HealthTopics Health Centers Reference Library Search NetWellnessSearch   Advanced

Myasthenia Gravis

Flu vaccine

10/27/2009

Question:

is the flu vaccine safe for people with myasthenia gravis symptoms mild and not medicated but have muscle weakness when tired

Answer:

I have not found association of flu shots and aggravation of myasthenic symptoms. I believe the flu shot is safe for my patients, especially the ones on immunosuppression, but I direct them toward the inactivated (dead)formulation. Patients with immunosuppression (steroids, IVIG, cellcept, imuran, etc) used to treat myasthenia gravis should avoid live virus vaccines. Talk about it with your physician. 

For more information:

Go to the Myasthenia Gravis health topic, where you can:

Response by:

University of Cincinnati Robert W Neel, IV, MD
Assistant Professor, Assistant Residency Program Director
Department of Neurology
College of Medicine
University of Cincinnati
Robert W Neel, IV, MD