Vaccinations and Lupus

Vaccines are an important part of protecting people from serious illnesses, but people with lupus may have questions about whether vaccines are safe for them. Because lupus affects the immune system and many people with lupus take medications that suppress immune activity, decisions about vaccinations might require extra thought. In general, vaccines can help protect people with lupus, but the right vaccines and timing should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

*Disclaimer:

The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment, or advice from a qualified healthcare provider. Reliance on any information provided in this article is solely at your own risk.

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Lupus can affect the immune system and may make it harder for the body to fight infections. Some lupus medications also lower immune activity, which can increase the risk of becoming seriously ill from certain infections.

Vaccines help the immune system recognize specific viruses or bacteria before a person is exposed to them. Preventing an infection is especially important for people with lupus because infections can sometimes trigger inflammation, worsen symptoms, or lead to other complications. Vaccines do not treat lupus, but they can help protect one’s overall health.

The vaccines commonly recommended for someone with lupus depend on their age, health history, medications, and exposure risk. Depending on a person’s individual situation, the recommended vaccines might include:

• Yearly flu vaccine - which helps protect against seasonal influenza

• COVID-19 vaccines - based on current public health recommendations

• Pneumococcal vaccines - which help protect against infections such as pneumonia

• Tdap vaccine - which helps against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis

• HPV vaccine - which may be recommended for certain age groups

• Shingles vaccine - especially for adults who meet the age/medical requirements

• Hepatitis B vaccine - for people who have certain health risks

• RSV vaccine - for people who meet the current age or health recommendations

Some people with lupus take immunosuppressive medications, which reduce immune system activity however, these medications may affect how strongly the body responds to a vaccine. Live vaccines require special consideration for people who take immunosuppressive medications, since they contain a weakened form of a virus or bacteria and may not be appropriate for someone whose immune system is significantly suppressed. This does not necessarily mean that vaccines are unsafe or that they won’t work, but the protection could be different from that of someone with a fully functioning immune system.

Timing is also important because if a person is about to begin a medication that strongly suppresses the immune system, a healthcare provider might recommend receiving certain vaccines beforehand when possible. However, people should never stop or change their lupus medication without medical guidance.

Current medical information does not show that routine vaccines cause lupus, as they are designed to prepare the immune system to recognize specific infections.

This is not true. Many vaccines can be given safely, although the decision depends on medications and the person’s health.

People should not stop or change medication on their own. A healthcare provider can decide whether any medication adjustments are necessary.

Vaccines lower the risk of illness but do not always prevent infection completely, since protection can vary depending on the illness and the person’s immune response.

Vaccinations are an important way for people to lower their risk of serious infections. Although lupus and immunosuppressive medications may affect vaccine effectiveness, they do not automatically mean that a person should avoid vaccination. People with lupus should review their vaccine history and current medications with a healthcare provider to create a safe plan.

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