Pneumococcal & VZV vaccinations
For patients with RMD age younger than 65 who are taking immunosuppressive medication, pneumococcal vaccination is strongly recommended. For patients with RMD older than 18 who are taking immunosuppressive medication, administering the recombinant varicella-zoster virus (VZV) vaccine is strongly recommended.
Conclusion
Application of these recommendations should consider patients’ individual risk for vaccine-preventable illness and for disease flares, particularly if immunosuppressive medications are held. Shared decision making with patients is encouraged in clinical settings.
This guideline addresses vaccination strategies across the entire adult and pediatric RMD spectrum. An underlying principle in this guideline is that patients should be vaccinated and that missed vaccination opportunities should be avoided or minimized. This is particularly true of influenza vaccination, which is administered seasonally and is recommended for RMD patients even if their disease activity is high, they are taking high-dose glucocorticoids and/or are taking rituximab.
For full study details, including source material, refer to the full guideline.
Excerpted and adapted from:
Bass AR, Chakravarty E, Akl EA, et al. 2022 American College of Rheumatology guideline for vaccinations in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2023 Mar;75(3).
