COVID-19 and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Essential Updates

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.

RA and COVID-19 Vaccines: Q&A With Dr. Tambar

myRAteam, March 22, 2021

Guidelines released in early February 2021 by the American College of Rheumatology COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Guidance Task Force recommend that people with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases get vaccinated against the virus. Many myRAteam members still have questions about the Covid-19 vaccine, so we sat down with Dr. Siddharth Tambar to discuss its efficacy and safety.

Read the full article

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.

Go Deeper

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.

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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.

Go Deeper

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