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Review
. 2021 Jun;84(6):1652-1666.
doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2021.01.047. Epub 2021 Jan 19.

An evidence-based guide to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination of patients on immunotherapies in dermatology

Louise M Gresham  1 , Barbara Marzario  1 , Jan Dutz  2 , Mark G Kirchhof  3
Affiliations
Review

An evidence-based guide to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination of patients on immunotherapies in dermatology

Louise M Gresham et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021 Jun.

Abstract

Immune-mediated diseases and immunotherapeutics can negatively affect normal immune functioning and, consequently, vaccine safety and response. The COVID-19 pandemic has incited research aimed at developing a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine. As SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are developed and made available, the assessment of anticipated safety and efficacy in patients with immune-mediated dermatologic diseases and requiring immunosuppressive and/or immunomodulatory therapy is particularly important. A review of the literature was conducted by a multidisciplinary committee to provide guidance on the safety and efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for dermatologists and other clinicians when prescribing immunotherapeutics. The vaccine platforms being used to develop SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are expected to be safe and potentially effective for dermatology patients on immunotherapeutics. Current guidelines for the vaccination of an immunocompromised host remain appropriate when considering future administration of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; immunomodulatory therapy; immunosuppressive therapy; vaccine.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest None disclosed.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Summary of the safety and efficacy for potential SARS-CoV-2 vaccines for patients on immunotherapeutics. ∗Insufficient data. There were no studies evaluating the safety and/or efficacy of vaccination in patients receiving thalidomide, apremilast, IVIg, or the following biologics: brodalumab, anakinra, omalizumab, guselkumab, risankizumab, or tildrakizumab. Data on apremilast has been addressed in the literature on the basis of expert opinion only.
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