Yes! The COVID-19 vaccine is strongly recommended for people with RA. In fact, having RA puts you at greater risk of severe complications from COVID-19, so getting vaccinated is especially important.
The good news is that studies confirm the vaccines are safe for people with RA. Most side effects are mild and short-lived Show Full Answer
Yes! The COVID-19 vaccine is strongly recommended for people with RA. In fact, having RA puts you at greater risk of severe complications from COVID-19, so getting vaccinated is especially important.
The good news is that studies confirm the vaccines are safe for people with RA. Most side effects are mild and short-lived, such as:
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Flu-like symptoms
- Soreness at the injection site One thing worth knowing is that some RA medications can slightly reduce how well the vaccine works. The American College of Rheumatology recommends timing adjustments for certain medications:
- Methotrexate – hold for one week after each dose
- JAK inhibitors (e.g., Rinvoq, Xeljanz) – hold for one week after each dose
- Rituximab (Rituxan) – get first dose four weeks before an infusion, then hold two to four weeks after the second dose
- Abatacept (Orencia) injections – hold one week before and after the first dose only
- Cyclophosphamide – schedule infusions one week after each vaccine dose
Always check with your rheumatologist before making any changes to your medication schedule. It's also worth knowing that RA flares after vaccination are uncommon, and when they do occur, they're usually mild and don't cause long-term issues.
If you have a history of allergic reactions to vaccines, just flag this with your doctor beforehand. As one myRAteam member put it — "I had COVID and don't want it again. I'll take my chances with the vaccine." 💪
October 6
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