IPC Statement On SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines And Psoriasis

ST. LOUIS,Dec. 3,2020 -- The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic continues to have a considerable impact on the provision of appropriate care to people with psoriasis. In many countries there is currently great excitement about the potential initiation of vaccination programs to people at risk and the general population. While this news is to be welcomed,the impact of psoriasis therapy,particularly systemic therapy,on the effectiveness and safety of vaccines needs to be considered.

Founded in 2004,the International Psoriasis Council (IPC) is a dermatology-led,voluntary,global,nonprofit organization with a network of more than 100 psoriasis experts,thought leaders,and professionals,dedicated to improving patient care around the globe.

The International Psoriasis Council (IPC) advises physicians and other healthcare practitioners totake into accountthe following:

Theprincipalconsiderations for SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are the same as for any vaccine: Avoid live-attenuated vaccinesif receiving an immunosuppressive/immunomodulatory medicationand be aware that the effectiveness of vaccination may be attenuated in people taking drugs that affect the immune system.

Currently the three vaccines closest to use at a population level are either RNA-based (Pfizer/BioNTech,Moderna) or based on replication deficient virus (Oxford/AstraZeneca). Thus,they are not live attenuated vaccines.

We anticipate thatmostpatients with psoriasis who do not have a contraindication or a known allergy to a vaccine component will be recommended to receiveone of theseSARS-CoV-2 vaccinesas soon as possible based on local availability and guidance from local public healthbodies.

Trials to date have not included people taking drugs that affect the immune system and thustheeffects ofthevaccinesin this specific population will need to be established.

Many people with psoriasis have raisedconcerns about potential adverse effects of vaccines on their skin disease. However,there is no evidence that vaccines affect psoriasis onset or severity. Registry data should be collected to inform whether SARS-Cov-2 vaccineseitherpositively or negativelyaffect psoriasis outcomes.

It is important that all people with psoriasis have access to adequate care. This includes access to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

The IPC will continue to provide updates to the global dermatology community as we learn more about SARS-CoV-2,vaccines and their impact on psoriasis.

For the latest information on the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak,includingpreventionandsigns and symptomsof the disease,refer to theWorld Health Organization (WHO)website.

About International Psoriasis Council

TheInternational Psoriasis Councilis a dermatologist-led global organization with a network of more than 100 psoriasis experts dedicated to improving the health of people with psoriasis. IPC helps psoriasis patients get better care and treatment by conducting research into the disease and providing health care professionals with resources and education to best manage their patients with psoriasis.

Contact:Christy Langan,International Psoriasis Council

Phone: (971) 404-5018

Email:Christy.Langan@psoriasiscouncil.org

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