[Vaccinations in rheumatology]

Abstract

Patients with autoimmune or rheumatic diseases are at increased risk for infectious complications due to immunosuppressive therapy and/or the underlying immunological disease itself. To date, the consistent use of vaccinations in this patient group has been limited due to concerns about flair-ups or lack of efficacy. In prospective studies neither an increased risk of disease flair-ups nor of initiation of autoimmune disorders was found as yet; however, the data is still considered insufficient (small studies including only patients in remission). Vaccination with non-live vaccines can generally be regarded as safe and relatively effective, even in patients on immunosuppressive therapy. Since the immune response to vaccination may be markedly impaired depending on the medication used and the underlying autoimmune disease, monitoring of both serum titers and of patients' vaccination schedules should form an integral part of rheumatological care.