title: Immunization in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
abstract: Immunization represents the most efficient and simplest intervention to prevent certain viral and bacterial infections in the general population as well as in the vulnerable population of patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases treated with immunosuppressives. Here, we present an updated review of literature data regarding the safety and efficacy of immunizations against different pathogens in rheumatic patients treated with conventional immunosuppressives or the newer biologic agents while at the same time we provide practical guidance for the appropriate vaccine administration in this patient population.
authors.affiliation: Joint Rheumatology Program, Clinical Immunology-Rheumatology Unit, 2nd Department of Medicine and Laboratory, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, 114 Vass. Sophias Ave., 115 27, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Joint Rheumatology Program, Clinical Immunology-Rheumatology Unit, 2nd Department of Medicine and Laboratory, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, 114 Vass. Sophias Ave., 115 27, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: dvassilop@med.uoa.gr.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vassilopoulos
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases; D014611:Vaccination; D014612:Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines
keywords: Biologics; Corticosteroids; Disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs; Hepatitis B virus; Herpes zoster; Human papilloma virus; Influenza; Pneumococcal; Vaccines