COVID Vaccines & Psoriasis: What To Know

iStock

The COVID-19 vaccines are here, and theyre being distributed by the millions. Chances are, you know at least one person who has received one. But as welcome as these long-awaited shots are, theyre also stirring up some controversyespecially among those in the chronic community, who (understandably) have some questions. Like are these vaccines safe for everyone? And will they interact with my medications? Also, what are the side-effect risks?

For more info on psoriasis and the COVID Vaccine, check out our Facebook Live event, here!

We hear you. And were taking your questions straight from our Facebook pages to the desks of top chronic disease experts as part of our original series #ChronicVaxFacts. Todays expert is Lisa Zaba, M.D., Ph.D., a dermatologist with Stanford Health Care in Palo Alto, CA. We asked Dr. Zaba to answer questions from psoriasis patients about the COVID vaccine.

HealthCentral: Could the COVID vaccine cause a psoriasis flare?

Lisa Zaba, M.D., Ph.D.: Single-stranded mRNA molecules, like those contained in the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, are activators of innate immune cells. Binding of mRNA to innate immune cells produces a potent type I interferon (IFN) response that is thought to play a central role in inflammation in some patients with autoimmune disorders. [Specifically,] type I IFN is thought to play a role in the initiation phase of psoriasis when people first develop the disease, although chronic psoriasis is perpetuated by overactivation of a different pathway, the Th17 adaptive immune response.

So in short, it is unknown how these new vaccines will affect patients with psoriasis, but major rheumatologic societies, including the National Psoriasis Foundation COVID-19 task force and the American College of Rheumatology, have put out statements indicating that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks for patients with psoriasis.

HC: Could the vaccine interact with my medications in any way?

Dr. Zaba: People taking immunosuppressive medications for their autoimmune diseases need those medications to stay in a remission. However, it is possible that those drugs may blunt the immune response to the COVID-19 vaccines, [possibly making them less effective]. It is not currently recommended that people stop their immunosuppressive medications prior to getting vaccinated; however, this is a discussion that should be had on a case-by-case basis with your treating doctor.

HC: Is one vaccine better than the other for people with psoriasis?

Dr. Zaba: Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines are similar in composition and structure, and it is therefore unlikely that there will be a significant difference is the side-effect profile for patients with psoriasis.

HC: Will the vaccine side effects be more severe because of my condition?

Dr. Zaba: It is currently not known if the vaccine side effects will differ in those with autoimmune conditions. Immunocompromised individuals or those requiring immunosuppressive therapy were excluded from phase III SARS Cov-2 vaccine trials. Therefore, safety and efficacy in this population is unknown.

HC: What are scientists doing to get that data on vaccine safety for people with our condition, and when will we have access to that information?

Dr. Zaba: Although vaccination is likely much safer for autoimmune patients than becoming infected with SARS CoV-2 virus, there are currently no NIH or pharmaceutical funded vaccine trials specifically looking at the question of safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in patients with autoimmunity. Our aim [at Stanford] is to conduct an observational study of COVID-19 vaccines in autoimmune patients under the close supervision of doctors specializing in autoimmunity.

Meet Our Writer

Sarah Ellis is a wellness and culture writer who covers everything from contraceptive access to chronic health conditions to fitness trends. She is originally from Nashville, Tennessee and currently resides in NYC. She has written for Elite Daily, Greatist, mindbodygreen and others. When shes not writing, Sarah loves distance running, vegan food, and getting the most out of her library card.

Original post:
COVID Vaccines & Psoriasis: What To Know