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Can I take Humira after covid vaccine?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on May 29, 2022.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Experts say it is very important for people who are taking Humira to get the COVID-19 vaccine, and, in general, experts do not recommend changing your Humira dosing schedule because you have had the COVID-19 vaccine, but you should talk to your doctor about this.

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) task force could not reach a consensus on whether you need to withhold your Humira dose for a short period of time after the COVID-19 vaccine. One study of 133 people taking immunosuppressive medications found that their antibody levels were 3 times lower after the COVID-19 vaccine than in individuals not taking these medications, but vaccines still provided adequate protection in most patients. Another study said adalimumab (Humira) did not substantially affect a patient’s immune response to the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

There is a risk that stopping Humira or withholding it for a short period of time could precipitate flares in your condition. A third dose of COVID-19 vaccine also helps immunocompromised patients mount a more robust response to the vaccine and protect them from serious COVID-19 complications.

References
  • COVID-19 FAQs: Vaccines. Arthritis Vaccine. https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/about-arthritis/related-conditions/other-diseases/covid-19-faqs-medication-treatment-and-vaccines
  • Medications & COVID-19 Vaccines. American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association.. https://solvecfs.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/COVID_19_Vaccine__Medications_March_2021_FINAL.pdf
  • Smetanova J, Strizova Z, Sediva A, Milota T, Horvath R. Humoral and cellular immune responses to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines in patients with axial spondyloarthritis treated with adalimumab or secukinumab. Lancet Rheumatol. Published online December 21, 2021. doi:10.1016/S2665-9913(21)00393-3
  • COVID-19 vaccine elicits weak antibody response in people taking immunosuppressant. Washington University School of Medicine in St Louis. https://medicine.wustl.edu/news/covid-19-vaccine-elicits-weak-antibody-response-in-people-taking-immunosuppressant/

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