Great question — staying on top of vaccinations is really important when you have AS, especially if you're on medications that suppress the immune system (like biologics or JAK inhibitors).
In the UK, immunosuppressed people with AS are typically recommended the following winter jabs:
- Flu vaccine — as you already know, this Show Full Answer
Great question — staying on top of vaccinations is really important when you have AS, especially if you're on medications that suppress the immune system (like biologics or JAK inhibitors).
In the UK, immunosuppressed people with AS are typically recommended the following winter jabs:
- Flu vaccine — as you already know, this is a yearly must
- COVID-19 vaccine — updated seasonal boosters are recommended for immunocompromised individuals
- Pneumococcal vaccine — protects against serious lung and blood infections (usually a one-off or every few years)
- Shingles vaccine — recommended for immunosuppressed people, though the type of vaccine matters (see below)
One really important thing to flag: if you're on biologics or JAK inhibitors, you need to avoid live vaccines. The shingles vaccine Zostavax is a live vaccine and is not safe for immunosuppressed people. The non-live version, Shingrix, is the safer option — so always check with your GP or rheumatologist before getting any vaccine.
Your rheumatologist or GP is the best person to confirm exactly which vaccines are right for you based on your specific medications and health status. It's always worth having that conversation before winter hits!
3 days ago
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