Vaccines against Covid-19 appear to be safe for people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, and the likelihood of them causing attacks, a sudden worsening of symptoms of the underlying disease, is less than five percent, scientists have found.
The findings are based on data from 5.121 patients in 30 countries.
In less than one percent of patients after vaccination, serious attacks of the underlying disease occurred, the scientists determined.
In general, worsening symptoms were more likely to occur in patients with active disease, according to a report published in the journal Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.
"It is important to note that exacerbations can occur as part of the disease, and the reported percentages of exacerbations of the underlying disease are compatible with the natural history of the disease and not necessarily caused by SARS-CoV-2 vaccines," said Dr. Pedro Machado from University College London. .
Most respondents received Pfizer
The average age of the research participants was 72, and the majority were women, reports Hina.
Many had inflammatory joint disease, connective tissue disease, or vasculitis and were receiving various combinations of antirheumatic drugs, immunosuppressants, and other drugs.
Most of them received the Pfizer/Biontek vaccine (70 percent), followed by AstraZeneca (17 percent) and Moderna (8 percent).
"Our findings should provide reassurance to rheumatologists, other healthcare workers and vaccine recipients, and increase confidence in the safety of vaccination against covid in people with inflammatory rheumatic diseases," said Dr. Macado.
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