COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Guidance Summary for Patients with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases (Part 3)

Allow me to discuss some of the guidelines for the use of vaccines against Coronavirus disease (Covid) among rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease (RMD) patients.

The healthcare provider is responsible for engaging the RMD patient in a discussion to assess COVID-19 vaccination status. This way the patient is involved in the shared decision-making process.

There should be due consideration to treatment factors when considering Covid vaccination and take a look at the most negative results.

The RMD patents should be given priority when it comes to getting vaccines.

It is wise to determine the allergies of a patient before considering the administration of the Covid vaccine.

There is theoretical risk exists for flare or disease worsening following Covid vaccination. However, the benefit of Covid vaccination for RMD patients outweighs the potential risk.

In the next column we will discuss the issues in the dosing of Covid vaccines among RMD patients.