Should adults with autoimmune rheumatic conditions receive updated COVID-19 vaccines?

by Wiley

edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Robert Egan

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In an Arthritis & Rheumatology analysis of data on 60,980 U.S. adults with autoimmune rheumatic conditions who developed COVID-19 between December 2020 and August 2024, those who received booster or updated (2023–2024) COVID-19 vaccines were less likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19 than those who received only the initial vaccine series or were unvaccinated.

Compared with no vaccination, completion of the initial series, booster vaccination and updated vaccination were associated with 41%, 71% and 69% lower adjusted odds of COVID-19-related hospitalization, respectively. Among patients who had received only the initial vaccine series versus a booster or updated vaccine, the absolute risk reduction was 5.6%.

"Our findings provide important real-world evidence that updated vaccines continue to offer substantial protection in this medically vulnerable population," said corresponding author Maria I. Danila, MD, MSc, MSPH, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

"These results underscore the need for continued efforts by clinicians, policymakers and patient advocacy groups to help ensure that these patients remain current with updated COVID-19 vaccines," added first author Lesley E. Jackson, MD, MSPH, also of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

More information

Updated COVID-19 Vaccines and Health Outcomes in Patients with Autoimmune Rheumatic Conditions, Arthritis & Rheumatology (2026). DOI: 10.1002/art.70290

Clinical categories

RheumatologyCommon illnesses & PreventionInfectious diseasesPreventive medicine Provided by Wiley Who's behind this story?

Gaby Clark

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