Who is pausing immunosuppressive medication for COVID-19 vaccination? Results of an exploratory observational trial

Abstract Background The influence of immunosuppressive therapy on immunogenicity after COVID-19 vaccination remains unclear. This study surveys patients who receive immunosuppressive therapy about whether or not they paused their immunosuppressive medication while receiving SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. M...

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Main Authors: Dominik Schröder, Stephanie Heinemann, Gloria Heesen, Frank Klawonn, Marie Mikuteit, Jacqueline Niewolik, Sandra Steffens, Georg Behrens, Alexandra Jablonka, Frank Müller
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2022-06-01
Series:European Journal of Medical Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-022-00727-7
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author Dominik Schröder
Stephanie Heinemann
Gloria Heesen
Frank Klawonn
Marie Mikuteit
Jacqueline Niewolik
Sandra Steffens
Georg Behrens
Alexandra Jablonka
Frank Müller
author_facet Dominik Schröder
Stephanie Heinemann
Gloria Heesen
Frank Klawonn
Marie Mikuteit
Jacqueline Niewolik
Sandra Steffens
Georg Behrens
Alexandra Jablonka
Frank Müller
author_sort Dominik Schröder
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The influence of immunosuppressive therapy on immunogenicity after COVID-19 vaccination remains unclear. This study surveys patients who receive immunosuppressive therapy about whether or not they paused their immunosuppressive medication while receiving SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Methods In this prospective observational study, immunosuppressed participants were asked by phone and email about their medication before and during vaccination and who—if anyone—advised them to pause their medication. In addition, a baseline paper-based questionnaire contributes general characteristics regarding age, gender, immunosuppressive medication(s) and the chronic disease(s) requiring immunosuppressive therapy. Results Of 207 surveyed participants, 59 persons (28.5%) paused their immunosuppressive medication before/during vaccination. Persons with rheumatic conditions and women were significantly more likely to pause immunosuppressive therapy than others. Over half of those who paused their medication reported receiving a recommendation from their specialist and 22.0% (13 of 59) decided to pause medication themselves without consulting a physician in advance. Conclusions Besides lack of evidence, many immunosuppressed individuals and their treating physicians choose to pause medication before COVID-19 vaccination and accepting the risk of worsening their underlying disease. Trial registration: DRKS00023972, registered 12/30/2020.
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spelling doaj.art-fa50ed83429b46d3af1698e9707dcb9e2022-12-22T00:17:13ZengBMCEuropean Journal of Medical Research2047-783X2022-06-012711810.1186/s40001-022-00727-7Who is pausing immunosuppressive medication for COVID-19 vaccination? Results of an exploratory observational trialDominik Schröder0Stephanie Heinemann1Gloria Heesen2Frank Klawonn3Marie Mikuteit4Jacqueline Niewolik5Sandra Steffens6Georg Behrens7Alexandra Jablonka8Frank Müller9Department of General Practice, University Medical Center GoettingenDepartment of General Practice, University Medical Center GoettingenDepartment of General Practice, University Medical Center GoettingenDepartment of Computer Science, Ostfalia University of Applied SciencesDepartment of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical SchoolDepartment of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical SchoolDepartment of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical SchoolDepartment of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical SchoolGerman Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site HannoverDepartment of General Practice, University Medical Center GoettingenAbstract Background The influence of immunosuppressive therapy on immunogenicity after COVID-19 vaccination remains unclear. This study surveys patients who receive immunosuppressive therapy about whether or not they paused their immunosuppressive medication while receiving SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Methods In this prospective observational study, immunosuppressed participants were asked by phone and email about their medication before and during vaccination and who—if anyone—advised them to pause their medication. In addition, a baseline paper-based questionnaire contributes general characteristics regarding age, gender, immunosuppressive medication(s) and the chronic disease(s) requiring immunosuppressive therapy. Results Of 207 surveyed participants, 59 persons (28.5%) paused their immunosuppressive medication before/during vaccination. Persons with rheumatic conditions and women were significantly more likely to pause immunosuppressive therapy than others. Over half of those who paused their medication reported receiving a recommendation from their specialist and 22.0% (13 of 59) decided to pause medication themselves without consulting a physician in advance. Conclusions Besides lack of evidence, many immunosuppressed individuals and their treating physicians choose to pause medication before COVID-19 vaccination and accepting the risk of worsening their underlying disease. Trial registration: DRKS00023972, registered 12/30/2020.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-022-00727-7ImmunosuppressionSARS-CoV-2COVID-19ImmunizationImmunogenicityDrug compliance
spellingShingle Dominik Schröder
Stephanie Heinemann
Gloria Heesen
Frank Klawonn
Marie Mikuteit
Jacqueline Niewolik
Sandra Steffens
Georg Behrens
Alexandra Jablonka
Frank Müller
Who is pausing immunosuppressive medication for COVID-19 vaccination? Results of an exploratory observational trial
European Journal of Medical Research
Immunosuppression
SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19
Immunization
Immunogenicity
Drug compliance
title Who is pausing immunosuppressive medication for COVID-19 vaccination? Results of an exploratory observational trial
title_full Who is pausing immunosuppressive medication for COVID-19 vaccination? Results of an exploratory observational trial
title_fullStr Who is pausing immunosuppressive medication for COVID-19 vaccination? Results of an exploratory observational trial
title_full_unstemmed Who is pausing immunosuppressive medication for COVID-19 vaccination? Results of an exploratory observational trial
title_short Who is pausing immunosuppressive medication for COVID-19 vaccination? Results of an exploratory observational trial
title_sort who is pausing immunosuppressive medication for covid 19 vaccination results of an exploratory observational trial
topic Immunosuppression
SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19
Immunization
Immunogenicity
Drug compliance
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-022-00727-7
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