Influenza infections can take a more severe course in people with RA. These infections are minor annoyances in the young and healthy, but can result in hospitalization and even death in elderly persons or individuals with a compromised immune system, like that found in RA. Many studies have demonstrated that influenza vaccinations can result in a significant decrease in infections and fewer complications of those infections when they do occur. Therefore influenza vaccinations are strongly recommended for patients with RA.
Studies of influenza vaccinations that included patients with RA showed that these individuals were able to take the vaccination safely. The vaccination of these patients resulted in the development of antibodies to the influenza virus similar to the antibodies found in persons without RA who received the same vaccine. Finally, the vaccinations in patients with RA did not result in a worsening of symptoms or a disease flare.
The flu vaccine is not associated with significant side effects. In people who are frail or elderly, there is an increased incidence of low fever and mild muscle aches that may last as long as 24 hours after a vaccination. Because the flu vaccine is made from only parts of the influenza virus, and because live viruses are not used in its preparation, you cannot develop influenza from the vaccine.
While the majority of patients with RA do get an influenza vaccination, approximately 30% do not. Reasons that people cite for not getting the vaccine include the following: they were never offered the vaccine, they were concerned about side effects, they did not believe the vaccine was effective, or they were not aware that they needed it. For the record: The flu vaccine is effective in preventing influenza; the vaccine is safe and will not result in disease flares; it is important for patients with RA to get the vaccine; and you will not get the “flu” from taking the influenza vaccine.
The flu vaccine is effective in preventing influenza; the vaccine is safe and will not result in disease flares; it is important for patients with RA to get the vaccine; and you will not get the “flu” from taking the influenza vaccine.
In contrast to the pneumococcal vaccine, which is given every five years, a new influenza vaccination must be administered every year. Each year, a new influenza virus becomes dominant and causes infections. The makers of the influenza vaccine try to predict which strains of influenza will be seen in a given year, select the most common influenza viruses, and make them into a new vaccine. Thus a different vaccine is produced every year.
When you are inoculated with the current year's vaccine, you are immunized against those viruses that the vaccine makers believe will cause the most problems that year. The next year brings a new dominant influenza virus—and you need to get immunized against that one as well. Influenza vaccines are recommended every year for people with RA.
Influenza vaccines are recommended every year for people with RA.