On Friday, our office started fielding questions regarding COVID-19 booster shots in our IBD population. Currently, I agree with the advice for patients as detailed by Dr. Rubin in the screenshots that follow. Key points:
- Studies have shown that IBD patients are not at increased risk of COVID-19 infections compared to the general population.
- Except for those on high-dose prednisone, it appears that our patient population with IBD does mount an adequate response to vaccination. That is, they are not considered severely immunocompromised.
- In short, it is reasonable, but not a clear recommendation, to give a booster mRNA vaccine dose to patients who are receiving anti-TNF agents and those receiving immunomodulators; this is a patient choice.
Also, from CDC 8/13/21:
- Talking with Patients Who Are Immunocompromised
- COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People
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