various concerns about getting vaccinated.
“Some of them are worried that vaccination might cause their disease to flare, but we haven’t seen that happen,” he shares in a university news release. “Others don’t see the point of vaccination, because they think the drugs they’re taking to treat their autoimmune condition will prevent them from producing an immune response to the vaccine.”
However, the study found a clear benefit of vaccination for most patients.
“What we found here is that the vast majority of immunocompromised patients with autoimmune diseases are able to mount antibody responses following COVID-19 vaccination,” Kim says.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently recommended that people taking immunosuppressant drugs receive a third mRNA vaccine dose, to strengthen their immune response.
READ: U.S. to Recommend Booster Shots for Most Americans
Kim says researchers plan to follow the same group as they receive their booster shots, which may improve their immune system response.
“It’s really important for people who are immunocompromised to receive this dose to maximize their ability to protect themselves from SARS-CoV-2,” he concludes.
If you are immunocompromised or taking immunosuppressant drugs and have reservations about how the vaccine may affect you, consult with your doctor.