Frequently Asked Questions
Do vaccines cause autoimmune disease flares?
This concern is common but not well-supported by evidence for inactivated vaccines. Inactivated influenza, pneumococcal, and COVID-19 vaccines do not consistently trigger autoimmune flares. Some patients report temporary symptom increases for 1–2 days after vaccination — this usually reflects the normal immune response to the vaccine, not a disease flare, and resolves quickly.
Should I stop my medications before getting vaccinated?
For most inactivated vaccines, there is no need to stop medications. The exception is methotrexate and influenza vaccination — some rheumatologists recommend holding methotrexate for 2 weeks after influenza vaccination to improve antibody response, based on recent evidence. This should be a personalised decision with your rheumatologist.
My child needs the oral polio vaccine for school. Is it safe for me?
In India, the national immunisation schedule now uses IPV (inactivated), not OPV, for routine vaccination. If your child is receiving OPV in a pulse polio campaign, the theoretical risk from shedding is very low with standard hand hygiene. Discuss with your rheumatologist if you are on high-dose immunosuppression.
Are travel vaccines safe for immunosuppressed patients?
Most travel vaccines are inactivated and safe. The key exceptions are yellow fever (live, contraindicated) and the live oral typhoid vaccine (use injectable Vi instead). Discuss any planned travel with your rheumatologist well in advance — at least 6–8 weeks before travel.
Does the flu vaccine give you the flu?
No. The injected influenza vaccine contains inactivated (killed) virus and cannot cause influenza. Some people experience mild arm soreness, low-grade fever, or fatigue for 24–48 hours after vaccination — this reflects the immune response to the vaccine, not the disease.
This article is for educational purposes. It does not constitute medical advice. Dr. Keerthi Vardhan, MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology), Assistant Professor, NIMS Hospital, Hyderabad.