We're the Specialists

The physicians at Rheumatology and Osteoporosis Specialists have carefully reviewed the rapidly-developing COVID-19 vaccine landscape, including the FDA EUA approval of the Pfizer vaccine as well as the upcoming evaluation of the Moderna vaccine. We recognize that patients with autoimmune diseases were not studied in these trials but that quality data on patients with autoimmune diseases will not be available for many months (likely at least late 2021). However, the risk of contracting COVID-19 appears to be much higher than the risk of taking a vaccine. None of the current vaccines are live vaccines and all can be taken with all types of immunologic medications without interruption. If you have an autoimmune disease and are followed at ROS, we are recommending that, from a rheumatologic perspective, you are a candidate to take the vaccine and we recommend it. As far as any non-rheumatologic concerns you have (allergies, etc.), please discuss these with your primary care provider or other specialists. ROS does not currently plan to administer vaccines to patients, so please follow local guidelines or discuss with your PCP about how to access these vaccines as they become available.