The Covid-19 vaccination is important for lupus patients, but must be approved by a doctor.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — There are still many autoimmune sufferers who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19. Likewise, people with Autoimmune Inflammatory Rheumatic Disease (AIIRD), there are still many who are hesitant to get vaccinated.
Autoimmunity is characterized by systemic inflammation, in which an unregulated immune system causes target organ damage or dysfunction. Then autoimmune rheumatism includes conditions such as: lupus systemic erythematosus (LES), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), in which connective tissue (cartilage, joint synovium, skin) is most commonly targeted.
SLE is a complex autoimmune disorder that attacks various body systems. Factors that play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease are known such as genes and environment.
Internal medicine specialist and consultant rheumatologist, Prof Dr dr Harry Isbagio, explained the importance of Covid-19 vaccination for lupus patients, but must be approved by the treating doctor.
“Patient AIIRD have a higher risk of contracting Covid-19 infection and are more severe, so vaccination is an important part of treatment,” said Prof Harry in a webinar with the Indonesian Rheumatology Association (IRA), Tuesday (14/12).
According to him, immunogenicity (the body’s response to the vaccine) in the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine inactivated, mRNA, and viral vector, were lower in AIIRD patients than in the general population. As for the safety level of the vaccine, it remains the same.
Difference immunogenesis This could be due to the use of immunosuppressive drugs in AIIRD patients.
“So that vaccination can be given with the approval of the treating doctor,” said Prof Harry again.
Autoimmune sufferers must act more vigilantly and take extra precautions to avoid exposure to the virus. Because his body condition is very susceptible to viruses and there are indications of developing other diseases, which can lead to complications.
Although people with autoimmune disease (in this case lupus) have a higher risk of complications, research has found some good news. Survival rate Lupus or arthritis exposed to the Covid-19 virus, is relatively higher.
In several countries in the world, such as the UK, America, Egypt, South Korea, and others, it has been shown that at least there are 133,589 autoimmune patients exposed to Covid-19 and 48,418 patients undergoing hospitalization.
When compared with autoimmune sufferers who were exposed to influenza, there were actually more hospitalized patients, namely 70,660 patients. Mortality within 30 days was also higher for those exposed to influenza than Covid-19 (6.3-24.6 percent vs. 2.2-4.3 percent).
However, it was also found that autoimmune sufferers had a worse immune response after the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Effectiveness Covid-19 vaccine appears to be diminishing due to immunosuppressant treatment18.
There is concern that the Covid-19 vaccine could trigger an attack of autoimmune disease. However, there is little evidence to support this assumption.
Several types of vaccines are still being developed for people with autoimmune, namely:
1. Platform inactivated (CoronaVac, New Crown Covid-19, BIBIBP-CorV)
2. Platform nucleic acid (mRNA1273, bNT162b2, LNP-nCoVsaRNA, INO-4800)
3. Platform viral vector (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, Ad5-nCoV, Ad26.COV2-S, IIBR-100)
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