CreakyJoints discusses what patients with inflammatory arthritis should know when getting the pneumonia vaccine, according to experts including HSS rheumatologist Sarah B. Lieber, MD, MS.

Pneumococcal vaccines are designed to reduce the risk of infection from Streptococcus pneumoniae, explained Dr. Lieber. Pneumococcal vaccines are inactivated (non-live) and generally considered safe for people with inflammatory arthritis who are on immunosuppressive medications. “People with inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis have been shown to be able to develop protective antibodies after pneumococcal vaccination,” said Dr. Lieber. “However, since some immunosuppressive medications may be associated with dampened immune response to vaccines, your doctor may consider the timing of pneumococcal vaccination relative to your immunosuppressive regimen to maximize immune response," she added. 

Read the full article at Creakyjoints.org.