Vaccinations for RA Patients

Vaccinations are an important consideration for patients with autoimmune forms of arthritis such as Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Care must be taken with vaccinations because these diseases are autoimmune disorders, and many of the medications used to treat them work by suppressing the immune system to a certain degree.

Vaccinations are also important because they can help protect people with weakened immune systems from getting sick with serious infections.

We recommend that patients always discuss all vaccinations with their doctor.

Depending on a person’s disease and medications, some vaccines (such as the flu shot) are generally very safe for people to get any time. Other vaccines (such as “live vaccines”) can only be safely administered under certain conditions, and must be coordinated with a doctor.

Vaccination Guide

Our PDF vaccination guide for patients outlines which vaccines are safe for RA patients, and under what circumstances.