Team: COVID Vax Guide, aka the “Buckeye-Vax-Attack”

Base Article: Arnold J, Winthrop K, Emery P. COVID-19 vaccination and antirheumatic therapy. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2021;60(8):3496-3502. doi:10.1093/rheumatology/keab223

Authors: The Ohio State Rheumatology Fellowship Program

1. Cristina Hurley, MD, second year rheumatology fellow, Ohio State University 
2. Megha Kotha, MBBS, first year rheumatology fellow, Ohio State University 
3. Jasmine Thai, MD, second year rheumatology fellow, Ohio State University 

Team Overview

You know what they say, you miss all the shots you don’t take. Vaccines are no Hail Mary buzzer beater from half court.  They’re the layup you practice all day long in the office and patient messaging.  As Arnold et al describe, this is a “pragmatic strategy” to make your life easier.  Corticosteroids, methotrexate, JAKi, rituximab – this team will tell you when to take “the shot” so that it matters in the game. 

This article outlines the humoral responses of patients on common immunosuppressants to influenza, pneumonia, and even shingles vaccinations.  Apply this to COVID19 vaccines and use it for the assist.  Think COVID19 vaccination is a moving target? You’re not wrong. Our visual aid allows you space to update in real time so you can stay in the game.   

Some may think that a primer on detailed plays for ILD, rheumatoid arthritis, PMR, or dermatomyositis might be more important, but we argue that our team has an answer for almost everyone. While weight loss may help you get faster across the court, we’re not sure that’ll end up helping with the score. We’ve got the shot. 

Next Report: VITAL

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