Can you have a shingle vaccination while only taking 10 mg of methotrexate weekly without any problems?

Will start Cimzia in 2 weeks

[Beverley-NRAS]

Hi Pattyjean

Here is a statement from the British Society for Rheumatology on this matter:

"Zostavax (shingles) is a live attenuated vaccine. Caution needs to be exercised in the use of live vaccines in people who may be immunosuppressed. However the DH guidelines for the use of Zostavax state:

Therapy with low-doses of methotrexate (<0.4 mg/Kg/week), azathioprine (<3.0 mg/Kg/day), or 6mercaptopurine (<1.5 mg/Kg/day) for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, polymyositis, sarcoidosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and other conditions are not considered sufficiently immunosuppressive and are not contraindications for administration of zoster vaccine”. “Low-dose” corticosteroids are also not a contra-indication (“low-dose” is not defined but doses of prednisolone 10mg daily or less in an adult would usually be considered to be low dose)."

I have put the link to the statement below. As always, you should check with your rheumatology team before doing anything. Hope this helps.

rheumatology.org.uk/include...

Regards

Beverley (NRAS Helpline)

[claireyj]

Hiya I am on Cimzia and I asked about having the shingles vaccination and was told could not have as I'm on a biologic .... This is only my hospital yours may be different but I would definitely contact your rhumi team about it ...Claire - ps Goodluck with the Cimzia

[allanah]

Same here , my Rheumy team would not allow on biologics but on a dmard like mtx the advice above from Beverly seems to say it's possible on mtx. I would check with Rheumy team they are happy for your individual case for you to get this vaccine.

[Hidden]

Thanks everyone !!! Will see Dr. May 14.

[Rosi1213]

I am on MTX .6 ml (Liquid, I can't inject myself so I squirt it in a glass of juice) and my Rheumatologist said NO WAY can I get a shingles vaccine.