Can Rheumatology Patients Have the Shingles Vaccine? 18 May 2018

The shingles vaccine is a live vaccine, and as such cannot be given to patients taking the following rheumatology medication:

The shingles vaccine is a live vaccine, and as such cannot be given to patients taking the following rheumatology medication:

TNFs  

• Etanercept (Enbrel)
• Adalimumab (Humira)
• Infliximab (Remicaide)

Non TNF biologics

• Rituximab (MabThera)
• Tocilizumab (Actemra)

However, patients taking  the following medication can have the shingles vaccine:

• Methotrexate
• Sulphasalazine (Salazopyrine)
• Hydroxychloroquine  (Plaquenil)
• Leflunomide (Arava)

Patients on prednisone can have the shingles vaccine if:

• duration of prednisone treatment (any dose) is <14 days, or
• duration of prednisone treatment is ≥14 days and dose is <20 mg/day

Note that the flu vaccine can be given to patients taking any of the above medication, including TNFs and non-TNF biologics.