Note: This issue is evolving. We will update this post as news comes out.
Do COVID-19 vaccines affect eczema?
There is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines will worsen eczema, and no reason to think they would.
Does having eczema change the risks or side effects of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines?
Right now atopic dermatitis (AD) is not a risk factor for more severe adverse reactions from either vaccine. The only potential issue is an allergy to an ingredient of the vaccine itself.
Many individuals with eczema also have allergies – some have severe allergies. Should I be concerned about getting the Pfizer or Moderna Covid-19 vaccines if I have allergies?
Per the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), If one has immediate allergic reaction of any severity to a previous dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine or any of its components, including polyethylene glycol (PEG), one should not receive mRNA COVID-19 vaccination at this time unless they have been evaluated by an allergist/immunologist and it is determined that the person can safely receive the vaccine.
Anyone who has an immediate allergic reaction to the first dose of an mRNA vaccine should not receive additional doses of either of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Patients with food allergies or other allergies that are unrelated to vaccines or injectable medications may still get the vaccine, but like other patients should be monitored for 15 minutes after administration for any reactions. Patients with a history of anaphylaxis (not due to vaccines or injectable medications) should bring their epinephrine with them and be monitored for 30 minutes after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
What Side Effects of the Vaccine Should People With Eczema Pay Attention To?
You may experience common side effects associated with the vaccine, such as pain and swelling at the injection site or tiredness, headache, chills, muscle pain, fever, and nausea, especially after your second dose. These reactions are normal and should resolve within a few days.
Anaphylaxis is the severe allergic reaction that we worry about, and that's very rare with the COVID-19 vaccinations. It's about five per one million doses.
If you’re prone to allergies or have had a reaction to another vaccine, you must wait at the vaccination center for 30 minutes after receiving the shot to make sure you don’t have an adverse reaction.
Can I have the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines if my eczema is flaring?
There is no contraindication against getting the vaccine if your eczema is flaring. However, there is a decent risk of having some side effects, and in anyone with flaring eczema these might compound how miserable you feel after getting the shot. The patient should not receive the vaccine in a location with flaring eczema.
If I am on an eczema medication that suppresses the immune system, can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
We don’t have enough information at the moment to know whether being on an immunosuppressant or biologic treatment will reduce the effectiveness of the vaccines.
People taking systemic treatments that affect the immune system (for example, prednisolone, azathioprine, cyclosporine, methotrexate, mycophenelate mofetil and dupilumab) are advised to avoid ‘live’ vaccines. The Pfizer or Moderna vaccines are not ‘live’ vaccines and have no Covid-19 virus in them. This means that people on treatments that affect the immune system can take them.
These immunosuppressant drugs do not PREVENT developing immunity but they might REDUCE immune reactivity and protection. Studies with methotrexate suggest that with the flu and pneumococcus (no info on Covid-19) there is still good protection.
All evidence suggests that patients on immunosuppressants might reasonably be withheld for a week or two while the vaccination has a chance to stimulate the mRNA production of antibodies.
How long is it necessary to wait after my Moderna or Pfizer shot before I can have my Dupixent injection?
The patient should wait 24-72 hours due to known muscle aches, chills and fever after the Covid-19 vaccination before having his Dupixent injection.
Are There Any Other Questions I Should Ask My Doctor About the Vaccine if I Have Eczema?
Ask your doctor what to do if you’re experiencing an eczema flare-up in the area where the shot will be injected. He or she may advise you to receive the shot in a different area where the skin is not flaring. And if you do notice a rash at the injection site a day or two after receiving the vaccine, don’t worry. That can happen and it shouldn’t dissuade you from receiving the second dose, though you should let your doctor know.
Finally, be sure to tell your doctor if you’ve ever had a bad reaction to a vaccine in the past and review the risks and benefits associated with an allergic reaction to the vaccine if you have a history of anaphylaxis. He or she can assess your risk and help you make the best decision for you.
