2023-09-04 12:13:34
Majority of Patients with Autoimmune Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases Should Receive COVID-19 Vaccination, Timing and Immunosuppressants Must Be Considered
Groningen, [Date] – According to a recent study published in Autoimmunity Reviews, the majority of patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD) should receive a COVID-19 vaccination. However, researchers from the University Medical Center Groningen, along with other institutions, suggest that the vaccination should preferably not be administered during active disease and should take into account the timing of immunosuppressants.
The timing of vaccination and its relationship to concomitant immunosuppressive therapy in patients with AIIRD has been a matter of debate. While vaccination is crucial for preventing infections, it is also known that infections can trigger flare-ups in AIIRD and carry an increased risk of complications and mortality.
Field studies mentioned in the research paper indicate that vaccines do not significantly influence disease activity. However, the opposite is observed in systemic lupus erythematosus, where high disease activity can predict reduced seroconversion, meaning a lower response to the vaccine. Therefore, the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) 2019 recommendation suggests that vaccination should preferably not be given during active AIIRD.
Apart from disease activity, the authors of the study also stress the importance of considering background immunosuppressive treatment when determining the timing of vaccination. Several disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can reduce the immunogenicity of the vaccine. Furthermore, regardless of the vaccine type, AIIRD patients are advised to receive the vaccination before starting immunosuppression.
The study concludes that while COVID-19 vaccination is crucial for patients with AIIRD, it is important to carefully consider the timing of the vaccination, especially in relation to disease activity and ongoing immunosuppressive treatment. By doing so, the potential benefits of vaccination can be maximized while minimizing any potential risks.
The research article, titled “Should we vaccinate during an active rheumatic disease?”, was authored by M. Bijl, J. Westra, S. Mancuso, and their colleagues. It was published online ahead of print on August 25, 2023, in Autoimmunity Reviews.
Source:
Bijl M, Westra J, Mancuso S, et al. Should we vaccinate during an active rheumatic disease? Autoimmun Rev. 2023 Aug 25. Online ahead of print.]
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