Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion General Message Board for Ankylosing Spondylitis and Related Diseases Humira considered immune suppressor for vaccine?

Hello! My state updated guidelines for vaccine eligibility and people taking immune suppressing drugs are now in group 1a.

Reading the description it sounds more like they mean systemic immune suppressors (such as those for organ transplants).

I don’t really know that targeted immune modifiers like Humira fit the definition. I asked my family doctor and she said they’ve not gotten really clear guidance yet. I plan on calling my rheumatologist.

Has anyone gotten a definite answer? (I have no other conditions that put me at high risk)

great question!

Please let me know what you find out from your rheumatologist.

If I find anything out, I will share here as well.

it kind of makes sense... I understand there is some evidence that immunosuppressants like steroids puts people at greater risk for death, where as immunomodifiers such as TNFs aren't linked.

kindest,
Rich

Hi Mary Beth,
I asked about your question to a couple of Rheumatologists with expertise in spondylitis.

'Every state currently has discretion.
If the questioner is eligible for vaccination in their state, he or she should be vaccinated.
Humira probably reduces the immune response, so receiving the vaccine as long as possible after a humira shot is optimal.'

The other said that they are writing letters for their patients saying that 'xxxxx has an immune mediated disease the requires him (her) to have to take immunospressive medications. As such he (she) may be at high risk for a bad outcome with Covid-19 and must be vaccinated immediately'. he said that these letters are working for their patients.

Hope this helps.

Thank you! Since the guidelines just changed in my state, I am not having luck getting a definitive answer. However I had a opportunity come up where my husband’s employer is offering vaccine to a limited number of family members who are 1A.

I made an appointment and I’ll take my paperwork with the black box warning. Fingers crossed.

Reading the other categories in my state, none of them account for health conditions except 1A and I have trouble believing the intent would be for people on biologics to wait for the general population.

Guidelines here put people on biologics in the same category as immunosuppressives.
My Rheumatologist doesn't like to call biologics immunosupressives, rather immunomodulators.
As they are more specific than drugs which simply inhibit replication of white blood cells

That said, yes you should be eligible for early vaccination
And if your dosing is biweekly then best take the vaccine in the middle of the schedule - i.e. 1 week after the injection.
Don't skip doses.