Covid 19 vaccine and Tocilizumab.

Becky88

Hello. My Rheumatology Advice line has said that they are not accepting any questions about the Covid 19 vaccine so I wonder if you could offer any advice/help.

I had the Pfizer vaccine this week, which I am very pleased about. However, watching this evening's news, I see that Tocilizumab is now sometimes being used as a treatment against coronavirus. As I receive Tocilizumab Infusions every 4 weeks, I am a bit concerned and had a thought as to whether if me being on Tocilizumab, could possibly stop the vaccine from working? Or do vaccines work on a completely unrelated way? Any advice wlould be gratefully received. Thank you.

helpline_team

Hi Becky88,

Thank you for posting on the helpline forum, we appreciate it is a concerning time for people who are taking immune suppress drugs and their concerns with the Covid-19 vaccines.

Unfortunately, I cannot answer your question on how the vaccine works as we are not medically trained but what I can tell you is that some people who are taking drugs that suppress the immune system may be given advice to continue avoiding exposure to COVID-19 after they have had the vaccination. This is because their medications could mean their immune system does not respond as strongly to the vaccine as people who don't take these drugs.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/covid-19-updates/vaccines-for-covid-19-your-questions-answered/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/tocilizumab/

Best wishes

Chris

helpline Advisor