From the Medical Board of the National Psoriasis Foundation: Vaccination in adult patients on systemic therapy for psoriasis

Abstract

Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis often require systemic immunomodulatory medications that place them at risk for infection. Vaccination is a proven strategy to reduce infections. However, vaccination rates among patients with inflammatory autoimmune conditions, including psoriasis, remain low. We review the literature regarding vaccine-preventable illness and vaccinations commonly used in the United States in patients older than 18 years on immunosuppressive therapies that are used in the treatment of psoriasis. The medical board of the National Psoriasis Foundation recommends that dermatologists counsel patients on updating vaccinations in accordance with recommendations of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices as any measures taken to prevent infection can increase the safety of immunomodulatory therapies.

Keywords: CDC; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; HBV; HPV; IBD; IL; MMR; TNF; biologics; cyclosporine; hepatitis B virus; human papillomavirus; immunosuppressive therapy; inactivated vaccine; inflammatory bowel disease; interleukin; live vaccine; measles, mumps, and rubella; methotrexate; tumor necrosis factor; vaccine administration; vaccine counseling.