Hi Sharon
It is true that live vaccines are not recommended/allowed. I doubt you'd get someone to even give it to you. There is, however, a system whereby you can obtain a special exemption certificate saying you cannot have the vaccine. I am not quite sure how you go about it as we never looked much further. Have look on the internet; or ask at a surgery that does the vaccine. The certificate has to be signed by a Dr. You could ask your rheumatology team as well. Also check with the countries rules and make sure the exemption certificate will still allow you into the country.
The downside of not having the vaccine is, obviously that you are susceptible to yellow fever; which is pretty horrible!
I think if you want the vaccine you have to be off the immuno-suppressants for 3 months beforehand... I don't know how long afterwards. However, if you are like me, you wouldn't want to risk coming off. I decided not to go ahead, and left my son to go out to Rwanda - knowing I couldn't then go if I needed to
. When he did go they did want to see his yellow fever card proof.
i guess we all have to make these decisions for ourselves as all our circumstances are so different. I didn't like some of the risks of the yellow fever vaccine - for me one of the risks is guillain barre - which I've already had - and have never completely recovered from... so that came into my decision making too!
Do let us know what you find out.
Anne
