Can I take Humira after covid vaccine?
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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Drug information
- Humira Information for Consumers
- Humira prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side Effects of Humira (detailed)
Related support groups
- Humira (69 questions, 369 members)