NBC6 (Miami, FL) features HSS rheumatologist Iris Navarro-Millan, MD who discussed recent recommendations released by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) for patients with autoimmune diseases (e.g., Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjogren’s, and others), who are considering the COVID-19 vaccine but concerned about their bodies’ reaction.

“We know what happens to patients with the Flu vaccine, the Shingles vaccine,” said Dr. Navarro-Millan. “They [patients] tend to feel not so well, fatigue, and in some instances people do develop a flare,” she continued. However, the ACR recommends patients with rheumatic conditions should get the COVID-19 vaccine, stating the benefit outweighs the potential risk of a flare or the disease worsening.

“So the bottom line is the risk of the flare, even if it’s a bad one that makes you feel bad, it’s still not as bad as getting a serious COVID-19 infection that can put you in the hospital,” added Dr. Navarro-Millan.

Watch the segment at NBCmiami.com.

Additional coverage: Telemundo51.com on February, 23 2021.