The Rheumatologist reports on a session at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Convergence 2022 discussing vaccinations in patients with rheumatic disease, with presenters including Anne R. Bass, MD, rheumatologist at HSS. 

Dr. Bass began her presentation by sharing the rationale for creating such guidelines. She noted that patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) may see higher rates of infection in general and more serious infections than the general population, and the immunogenicity and safety of vaccines may differ in RMD patients. In addition, there may be modified vaccine indications for these patients and a need to consider vaccination timing and scheduling of medications around dates of vaccination.

Dr. Bass described a few guiding principles with respect to vaccination for patients with RMDs, namely that indicated vaccinations should be given whenever possible, decisions to hold a medication around vaccination should take into account many factors (e.g., disease type, disease activity, risk for vaccine-preventable infection) and shared decision making with patients is key.

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