During the COVID-19 pandemic, myRAteam will provide summaries and links to articles of importance to people living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This page will be updated with information as it becomes available.

• Join the conversation about COVID-19 and RA by commenting below.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and the COVID-19 Vaccine: What We Know

myRAteam, December 14, 2020

On Friday, December 11, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of the first vaccine for the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Several other vaccine candidates are currently being developed and tested, and multiple vaccines may become available in the weeks and months ahead. In the days to come, myRAteam will reach out to specialists to find out what this means for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

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Rheumatoid Arthritis and Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) Shortages

myRAteam, April 17, 2020

Key Takeaways

• Hydroxychloroquine, sold under the brand name Plaquenil, is being investigated for use in COVID-19 cases.
• Because of increased demand, some people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are having problems accessing their medication.
• If you have trouble getting hydroxychloroquine, talk to your doctor. They can likely help you fill your prescription.
• Do not ration or stop taking any medication without talking to your doctor first.

What myRAteam Members Are Saying

“Anybody having trouble getting their Plaquenil?”

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Rheumatoid Arthritis and Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) Shortages

Rheumatoid Arthritis and COVID-19: Are You at a Greater Risk?

myRAteam, April 7, 2020

Key Takeaways

• If you have RA and are treating it with medications, you may be at higher risk for infection generally.
• The benefits of keeping your RA symptoms under control with medication likely outweigh the potential added risk of infection.
• Manufacturers have recently committed to ramping up production of Hydroxychloroquine to meet the expected increase in demand. If you are concerned that shortages of Hydroxychloroquine may affect you, talk to your pharmacy and health care providers.
• Take precautions in advance of any upcoming appointments, including monitoring your own health, considering how you will physically get to your appointment, and practicing social distance by leaving space between yourself and other people at a clinic.

What myRAteam Members Are Saying

“Is there a substitute to Plaquenil?”

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Rheumatoid Arthritis and COVID-19: Are You at a Greater Risk?

How to Talk to Friends and Family About Physical Distancing

myRAteam, March 20, 2020

Key Takeaways

• Remind loved ones of the seriousness of your situation. According to research in China, people who had one additional disease had a 79 percent higher risk of requiring intensive care, needing a respirator, or dying as a result of COVID-19.
• If there are others in your circle who take the threat seriously, ask them to talk to your loved one on your behalf.
• Suggest ways to stay socially connected from a safe distance.

What myRAteam Members Are Saying

"We can teach our families that life goes on, and this too shall pass. We need them to follow the rules and stay safe."

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Canceling Is Kindness: Keeping Safe From COVID-19 With RA

Other COVID-19 Resources

• American College of Rheumatology: ACR Announcements: COVID-19
• Arthritis Foundation: Coronavirus and Arthritis
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Situation Summary
• World Health Organization (WHO): Rolling Updates of Coronavirus