This draft summary was approved by the ACR Board of Directors on February 8, 2021.
A full manuscript is pending journal peer review.
Purpose
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to rheumatology providers on the use of the COVID-19 vaccine and the associated management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease patients around the time of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. These statements were based upon a dearth of high-quality data and are not intended to replace clinical judgment. Modifications made to treatment plans, particularly in complex rheumatic disease patients, are highly disease-, patient-, geography-, and time-specific and, therefore, must be individualized as part of a shared decision-making process. This guidance is provided as part of a ‘living document,’ recognizing rapidly evolving evidence and the anticipated need for frequent updates as such evidence becomes available.
