These are questions you may have. While it is generally thought everyone should be vaccinated to protect against COVID-19, it is important to consider each person’s medical history and risks. Nufactor recommends consulting with your prescriber to help determine what is best for you.
Currently there are three vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), made by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson). There are other vaccines being tested and they may soon be approved.
Here is some information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) based on the three currently approved vaccines. Information may change as new vaccines are approved and new information is learned. This is why it is important to check with your prescriber for recommendations.
Use of different COVID-19 vaccines
Vaccines are not interchangeable. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines require two doses. You should receive the same brand for both doses. The Janssen vaccine requires a single dose.
Vaccination of persons with COVID-19 infection or exposure
Vaccination should be offered to persons even if they have previously had COVID-19 infection. However, if you have active infection or are in quarantine because of potential exposure to someone who has COVID-19, you should wait. There is no recommended minimum time between infection and vaccination. Check with your prescriber for recommendations.
Vaccination while receiving immune globulin therapy (IVIG, SCIG, HyQvia)
Immune globulin and COVID-19 vaccine can be administered either at the same time or at any time before or after receiving immune globulin. Check with your prescriber for recommendations.
Use with other vaccines
There is not a lot of information on receiving COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines. Vaccines should be administered alone, with a minimum of 14 days before or after administration of any other vaccine. However, vaccines may be administered within a shorter period in situations where the benefits of vaccination are thought to outweigh the potential unknown risks. Check with your prescriber for recommendations.
Certain other illnesses
Nufactor treats patients with autoimmune conditions, including CIDP, myasthenia gravis, MMN, pemphigus, dermatomyositis, polymyositis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and others. Currently there is no data on safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in persons with autoimmune conditions. However, persons with autoimmune conditions who have no contraindications to vaccination may receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Check with your prescriber for recommendations.
Persons with HIV infection or other immunocompromising conditions, or who take immunosuppressive medications or therapies might be at increased risk for severe COVID-19. Immunocompromised persons may receive COVID-19 vaccination if they have no contraindications to vaccination. However, safety and effectiveness in immunocompromised persons is not known and there is potential for reduced immune responses to the vaccine. Check with your prescriber for recommendations.
Reference: CDC web site https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/info-by-product/clinical-considerations.html dated 03/5/21
