Vaccines and Adrenal Insufficiency

If you have Addison's Disease or another form of adrenal insufficiency, which vaccines should you have? Is it safe to be vaccinated? What do you need to know before you go for a jab?

On our website we have lots of useful links and some helpful advice to help you explore any particular concerns you may have and understand what you need to consider.

Click below for more information.

Flu jab and other vaccines

Coronavirus Vaccines and Adrenal Insufficiency

Latest

Jennifer's fundraising for Addison's disease

I'm raising money for the Addison's Disease Self Help Group so that they can continue to support people with Addison's and adrenal insufficiency. Addison’s is a rare endocrine condition where the adrenal glands do not produce enough steroid hormones and can be life threatening. It affects approximately 1 in 10,000 people, meaning an estimated 300 - 350 new cases are diagnosed each year across the UK, this makes it roughly 300 times rarer than diabetes.
Behind the Research: U-RHYTHM

Dr Thomas Upton updates us on the development of U-RHYTHM, a wearable device to measure hormones, including cortisol levels, in the body over the full 24 hours, following the release of their clinical trial study,
Behind the Research: The PULSES trial - Pulsatile Cortisol Infusion Pump

Dr Georgina Russell updates us on The PULSES trial, looking at the effect of pulsatile cortisol pump therapy on quality of life, mood, sleep, behavioural and cognitive processing and metabolism.
Getting the Flu Jab

Say No to Flu! Book your flu jab today. There is no need to miss out, as it is free to people who are steroid-dependent (everyone with Addison's disease and adrenal insufficiency). Dr Prete, Consultant Endocrinologist, explains more about the importance of getting your flu jab when you are steroid-dependent.

Now available - injectable Hydrocortisone Sodium Phosphate

Hydrocortisone Sodium Phosphate for emergency injection kits is once again available on prescription having been unavailable due to supply issues. Read on for guidance on requesting a prescription from your GP and support for learning the emergency injection.
Sensor development - Bionics+ want your lived experiences

Development of a prototype sensor to detect cortisol levels is underway. We let you know how you can contribute to the next stage of this research and hear from the Bionics+ team on their project known as a closed loop platform for endocrine system management.
New Consultation Reference Guide for your appointments

A new Consultation Reference Guide to support endocrinologists & nurses in their review of people with Addison’s disease, during diagnosis as well as follow-up appointments, is now available on the Society for Endocrinology & ADSHG websites.
Educating GPs – free RCGP Adrenal Insufficiency course

Working with the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), we've launched a GP education module titled “Adrenal insufficiency with a focus on Addison's disease” providing a free eLearning module for GPs across the UK.
A name change for Solu-Cortef

The previously branded ‘Solu Cortef’ hydrocortisone injection will now be known as ‘Hydrocortisone 100mg Powder for Solution for Injection or Infusion’ as it changes to the generic version.
Our Wren Project Partnership

We’re pleased to announce that the ADSHG is partnering with The Wren Project to help those of you who are finding it hard coming to terms with a new diagnosis or handling the emotions that come along with other difficult stages in managing adrenal insufficiency.
NHS Website: Addison's pages updated

Working with NHS Digital, the ADSHG has updated the NHS content regarding Addison’s disease on the NHS website. The new guidelines incorporate extensive input from ADSHG steered by the Chair of the ADSHG’s Clinical Advisory Panel, Professor John Wass.
Dislike splitting tablets? Smaller doses now available!

New doses of Hydrocortisone instant release tablets, including lower strengths 2.5mg and 5mg, have been released. This removes the step of breaking tablets, giving people with Addison's and adrenal insufficiency a single tablet with the dose they require.
Research Opportunity: Adrenal Crisis Drug Survey

Do you have Addison’s or adrenal insufficiency? Please consider completing this survey to aid the development of SOLUtion Medical’s one-step injector for delivering adrenal crisis medication.
Drug shortage alert: injectable hydrocortisone

Advanz Pharma, the supplier of hydrocortisone sodium phosphate, has confirmed that due to manufacturing issues, they are currently unable to supply the liquid hydrocortisone and expect to resume supply by Q1 2023.

Sick Day Rules

Minor ailments can affect anyone with a steroid-dependent adrenal condition very differently. Things like vomiting, diarrhoea, colds and flu could cause an adrenal crisis. It’s important that you spot the early symptoms of a bug or cold and adjust your steroid replacement medication.
What is Addison's Disease?

Find out more about Addison's disease and adrenal insufficiency and and how they are treated.
Adrenal Crisis Can Kill
The Emergency Injection for the treatment of Adrenal Crisis

Understanding what an Emergency Injection kit is, how to inject and how important it is to use the injection during an Adrenal Crisis.
Coronavirus Vaccines and Adrenal Insufficiency

Everyone with a steroid-dependent adrenal condition should get the coronavirus vaccine and boosters to reduce their risk of getting coronavirus. This is because people who are steroid-dependent are at increased risk of needing hospital care if they get coronavirus, due to the risk of adrenal crisis.
Why Salt?

Why do people with Addison’s and adrenal insufficiency crave salty, acidic and sour foods at diagnosis, and then salt remains our “pick me up” when diagnosed? Professor Simon Pearce explains the connection between aldosterone, fludrocortisone and why you should always listen to your salt cravings.
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) - 02/10/2023

Our medics have been keeping an eye on pandemic developments. This page is up to date but we will continue updating it regularly as we find out more information from the government.
Updated NHS Steroid Card Released

Following the early release of the new NHS Steroid Emergency Card back in March to keep patients with Addison's or adrenal insufficiency safe during the COVID-19 crisis, the NHS steroid card has been updated and physical copies will be available to order from Tuesday 18th August 2020 for hospital teams!
Addison's & Adrenal Insufficiency: Advice for Dentists

The ADSHG guidelines offer illustrative guidance for major and minor dental procedures. It is important to recognise the physical stress of any invasive dental procedure and to ensure that adequate glucocorticoid cover is provided for steroid-dependent patients.
Surgical Guidelines

The ADSHG surgical guidelines are intended for the information of your medical team or your dentist and have been developed by our Clinical Advisory Panel.

Research Grants

Our charity is at the forefront of medical research into Addison's Disease. Help us fund medical researchers working in this important field of endocrine research. Read more