Waterloo Rheumatology
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Waterloo Rheumatology

COVID-19

 

Can I get the COVID vaccine booster?

What about my rheumatology medications?

Get an additional bi-valent COVID booster 6 months after your last booster vaccine or 6 months after COVID infection if you are on a medication listed below by making an appointment at a Regional Vaccination Clinic or local pharmacy (source).
You do not need a letter from us, just bring proof of your medication to the vaccine clinic: prescription receipt/bottle/box with your name and medication name on the label. Click HERE to register for your vaccine.

  • Methotrexate

  • Prednisone >20mg/d for at least 2 weeks

  • Apremilast

  • Azathioprine

  • Biologics [injectable/intravenous TNF inhibitors, IL6 inhibitors, Il-17 inhibitors, IL-12/23, IL23 inhibitors, Abatacept, Canakinumab]. Call us if you’re unsure you’re on one of these medications.

  • Cyclophosphamide

  • JAK inhibitors: Rinvoq (Upadacitinib), Olumiant (Baricitinib), Xeljanz (Tofacitinib)

  • Leflunomide (Arava)

  • Mycophenolate mofetil, Myfortic, Cellcept

  • Rituximab (ideally 5 months after previous infusion and 4 weeks before next infusion of rituximab)

  • Sulfasalazine

The following medications may be held around the time of vaccination depending on your particular circumstances and disease control at risk of flaring your disease; you can call us to discuss if unsure:

  • METHOTREXATE: skip 1 dose of methotrexate after the COVID vaccine if you have good disease control.

  • RITUXIMAB: Vaccines might only work if given 5 months after your previous rituximab infusion and/or 4 weeks before your next infusion. Call your rheumatologist to discuss and plan.

  • Abatacept (Orencia), JAK inhibitors (Rinvoq, Olumiant, Xeljanz), Myfortic, Cellcept: call us to discuss if holding these medications is a good idea.

  • Here are the guidelines from the Canadian, American, and British rheumatology societies that get into finer details.

What is the COVID-19 virus?

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that are known to cause respiratory illnesses.
SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2) is the name of the specific coronavirus that’s currently causing this pandemic.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease-2019) is the name of the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

What are symptoms of COVID-19?

Most common symptoms: fever, headache, cough, runny nose, tiredness.
80% of people who get COVID-19 will recover without special treatment; however, 1 in 6 people will become seriously ill and have difficulty breathing.
Older people and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness.

How does COVID-19 spread?

COVID-19 is spread through small droplets from an infected person’s nose or mouth — often from coughing and not washing hands. These droplets contain virus which can survive for hours to days on surfaces.

How do I protect myself?

  • Get Vaccinated.

  • Stay at home if you feel unwell: protect others in our community.

  • Update your influenza vaccine, and if indicated, pneumococcal vaccine. This won’t help with COVID-19, but would help keep you healthy and prevent combined infections.

Where can I get more information?