Covid/Flu vaccines while on immunosuppressant

Hi,

It seems odd your physician won't give you a straight answer. That doesn't seem very helpful. I'm sorry you're dealing with that.

I'm not on a biologic, though, so my experience won't really help. I take Sulfasalazine and Leflunomide. My Rheumatologist told me it was fine to get the vaccines (I have to for work). I got both the Covid and flu shot at the same time, and had no problems at all.

Hopefully someone has more relevant experience to share.

Good luck.

Hi . I can tell you that my wife, Kelly Mack (a contributor here), who was diagnosed at age two, 45 years ago and has been on a biologic for many years (currently Kevzara) was advised by her rheumatologist that having both vaccines at the same time was not an issue. She has done the two together the last two years with no problems. That said, there are differences between medications, the type of immune system suppression, and the potential impact on the vaccines. For example, Rituxan and methotrexate are more blanket immunosuppressants (as opposed to biologics which target specific inflammatory markers like TNF or interleuken-6 or 1). Patients on some drugs are known to have more problems developing the antibodies from vaccines. This research article notes that in relation to general guidance on vaccines for those with rheumatic diseases "Exceptions to this rule are abatacept and rituximab therapies. The immune response was found to be low even 2 weeks after discontinuation of abatacept. It is recommended to wait for vaccination at least 6 months after rituximab infusion. However, if a vaccine, such as influenza, needs to be administered within a certain time interval, vaccination should be done, although lower vaccine effectiveness is expected:" https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5042271. You mentioned being on Orencia, which is abatacept. Given what is said in this article you may want to ask your rheumatologist for more direct guidance for your particular case. Hope this information is helpful. Best, Richard (Team Member)

I'm on different biologic than you, and chemo... I take methotrexate and celacoxib, and my biologic is simponi aria... I got four vaccines at once last year, because I didn't want to skip my methotrexate for two weeks, more than twice (two shots for shingles vaccine - I got old, so I needed that one, lol, plus RSV). My arms were pretty sore for two full days, but I'd do it again!! My rheumatologist only said to skip two weeks of the methotrexate and make it 30 days between the vaccines and infusion, (before & after), but it sounds like yours is much different to what I get.
I will be getting both flu and covid again, at the same time, in a couple weeks. I've had RA for about four years now, give or take, and I have not been sick since before covid. Don't skip those vaccines!!