Vaccinations and Scleroderma

Medications for Scleroderma, Arthritis,
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Vaccinations

Vaccinations and Scleroderma

B efore receiving a vaccination of any kind, consult with your physicians.

Vaccinations such as flu shots and pneumonia shots are recommended for patients with scleroderma and other autoimmune diseases. However, always consult your physicians before being vaccinated!

Pneumococcal Vaccination (Pneumonia Vaccination). Pneumococcal vaccination is a method of preventing a specific type of lung infection (pneumonia) that is caused by Pneumococcus bacterium. There are more than 80 different types of pneumococcus bacteria-23 of these are covered in the current vaccination. MedicineNet.com.

Vaccination in patients with chronic rheumatic or autoimmune diseases. Patients who have chronic rheumatic or autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or vasculitides, show a risk of infection that is at least 2-fold greater than that for healthy individuals. Vaccination is an option for a substantial number of these infections. (PubMed) Gluck T, Mueller-Ladner U. Clin Infect Dis. 2008 May 1;46(9):1459-65. (Also see: Prof. Müller-Ladner )

Influenza vaccine response impaired by anti-TNF treatment. Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha treatment modestly impairs the antibody response to influenza vaccination, but allows most patients to achieve a protective titer. The Job Cure (Reuters) 05/21/08. (Also see: DMARDS )

An audit of influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in rheumatology outpatients. Influenza and pneumococcal immunisation is suboptimal amongst patients on current immunosuppressant treatments attending rheumatology outpatient clinics. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2007, 8:58.

Vaccinations and Rheumatic Disease. Vaccinations are not dangerous for persons with rheumatic disease, except: live-virus and bacterium vaccinations are dangerous for, and are contraindicated in, patients who take high doses of prednisone or immunosuppressive drugs, or who have very low white blood cell counts or are otherwise immunocompromised. Hospital for Special Surgery. Michael D. Lockshin, MD. 10/21/03.