COVID-19 vaccination in individuals with inflammatory rheumatic diseases

Since the start of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaign, our knowledge of the effects of vaccines in people with inflammatory rheumatic diseases has remained incomplete. In particular, the effects of immunomodulatory therapies on vaccine success are poorly understood. Three notable papers from the past year have helped to fill these knowledge gaps. Key advancesAlthough SARS-CoV-2 vaccination seroconversion rates are lower in individuals with inflammatory rheumatic diseases under immunomodulatory therapy, the neutralizing capacity of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies does not differ between affected and non-affected individuals7.In contrast to the humoral immune response, the cellular immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients receiving rituximab is maintained8.After rituximab therapy, determination of peripheral blood B cells may be a means to facilitate successful immunization, as the threshold for a successful immune response is 10 B cells per microlitre of peripheral blood9.

Automated summary

Since the start of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaign, our understanding of the effects of vaccines on people with inflammatory rheumatic diseases has been limited. However, three notable papers from the past year have provided key insights and filled these knowledge gaps.