CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
(updated 5/1/2023)

If you have symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, please stay home. 

EVERYONE SHOULD GET THE VACCINE (prefer mRNA vaccine)
The only suggested vaccine now for primary and booster doses is the bivalent vaccine (from Pfizer and Moderna)
If you are immunocompromised, you are eligible for a booster dose of the bivalent booster dose if your most recent booster dose was at least 2 months ago. 
If you are over the age of 65 (regardless of your immune status), you are eligible for a booster dose of the bivalent booster dose if your most recent booster dose was at least 4 months ago. 
If you had a recent COVID-19 infection, it is preferable to wait at least 3 months prior to getting a booster dose

To ensure the best antibody response to the vaccine, please read the following guidelines regarding what to do with medications used to treat your rheumatic disease (ACR guidelines)
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Medication                                                       Timing consideration for Immunomodulatory therapy and COVID-19 vaccination
                                                                                        (for primary and booster doses)

Abatacept  (Orencia) IV 
​Belimumab (Benlysta) IV                                  Time vaccine one week prior to next dose

Abatacept (Orencia) subcu                               Hold medication for 1-2 doses AFTER each dose of COVID vaccine
Belimumab (Benlysta) subcu                                 if rheumatic disease is well controlled

Acetaminophen, NSAIDs                                Hold for 24 hours prior to vaccine; ok to take meds after vaccine for symptoms/side-effects

Hydroxychloroquine, IVIG
TNFi, IL-6R, IL-1R, IL-17, IL12/23, IL-23                        No need to interrupt therapy
and other cytokine inhibitors

Cyclophosphamide IV                                       Time infusion to one week after each vaccine dose

Rituxan(and any anti-CD20)                                     Discuss timing of vaccine with provider

All other therapy not listed above    
- Apremilast (Otezla), Methotrexate,                          Hold medication for 1-2 weeks AFTER each dose of COVID vaccine 
Azathioprine (Imuran), Leflunomide (Arava)                            if rheumatic disease is well controlled
Mycophenolate/Cellcept, oral cyclophosphamide,
calcineurin inhibitors, Sulfasalazine, JAKi (Xeljanz
Rinvoq, Olumiant)

If your rheumatic disease is not well controlled, please call the office BEFORE you stop your medications

​CDC strongly recommends that close contacts of immunocompromised people be vaccinated against COVID-19

You may receive the COVID-19 booster dose and flu shot on the same day
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