MMR Shedding/Avoidance & TB Test

[Mehita]

I have a therapy dog and we were about to sign up to volunteer for a program, but they require that I have an updated MMR vaccine and do a TB test.

My question... DS is on Remicade and Methotrexate, therefore immune suppressed and should avoid live vaccines. He did have his second dose of MMR before he started these meds, so technically, he's protected, right? Is it okay for me to get a MMR and TB test done and be around him?

I keep reading mixed info on sites re: the MMR and shedding and I don't understand the language on the TB test. Is that a live thing too?

Help?

 

[Maya142]

The TB test should be ok - doesn't he have a TB test every year? Many (most?) kids on biologics do.

The MMR vaccine I would ask your GI about. My husband was recently told to get the shingles vaccine, which is also live, and he was told by his doctor to wait till both girls were away at college, since both are on biologics/MTX.

Now this is a primary care doctor and I think he is just being cautious. M's rheumatologist said it was ok and my husband could be around the girls, just to stay away as much as possible.

Needless to say, he hasn't had the shingles vaccine yet and we haven't figured out when to do it!

 

[Mehita]

The TB test should be ok - doesn't he have a TB test every year? Many (most?) kids on biologics do.

Nope. I asked last year and his GI said he'd only test again if DS had been in a situation that warranted it (i.e. been exposed, travel, etc.).

 

[Maya142]

Either way, the TB test should be fine. They do TB tests on kids on biologics pretty routinely. We get them done pretty much every year.

There is also a blood test for TB which you could do if you want.

 

[CarolinAlaska]

I have a therapy dog and we were about to sign up to volunteer for a program, but they require that I have an updated MMR vaccine and do a TB test.

My question... DS is on Remicade and Methotrexate, therefore immune suppressed and should avoid live vaccines. He did have his second dose of MMR before he started these meds, so technically, he's protected, right? Is it okay for me to get a MMR and TB test done and be around him?

I keep reading mixed info on sites re: the MMR and shedding and I don't understand the language on the TB test. Is that a live thing too?

Help?

How about an MMR titer to prove immunity?

 

[Mehita]

How about an MMR titer to prove immunity?

Yes, that is something DS' GI suggested. I also just heard back from the pet therapy program and they said we can work things out... which I interpreted to mean that maybe I won't need to get the shot.

On a side note, DS' little brother is due for his 12 yo MMR, etc vaccines this summer, so it's still an issue that I want to thoroughly understand before doing the vaccines.

Thanks!

 

[my little penguin]

Really
Hmm
Ds only had to get dtp meningitis and option of hpv at 12 vaccines
He just got them last sept
Mmr was finished at age 5

You may want to double check the mmr

 

[my little penguin]

CDC recommends children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age

From
https://www.cdc.gov/measles/vaccination.html

 

[Mehita]

Oh, you're right MLP. No MMR. Too many balls in the air.

 

[Maya142]

You might be thinking of meningitis but that's not a live vaccine. Both my girls got it while on biologics.

Good luck!!

 

[Mehita]

I went to the orientation meeting tonight and we're good to go! Well, still need to get the TB and titre tests tomorrow, but assuming all is well, we get to start next week. I'm so excited!

 

[pdx]

Glad to hear that it all worked out. My daughter loved getting therapy dog visits when she was in the hospital!