If you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA).“The best thing you can do to protect yourself and your family from becoming sick is getting seasonal influenza vaccinations,” says Cassandra Calabrese, DO, a physician in the rheumatology and infectious disease departments at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. “Flu season peaks in January and February, and we recommend people get vaccinated by the end of October,” says Dr. Calabrese. “But it’s never too late,” she adds, as flu activity persists into May some years.

Life With RA: Why You Should Get the Flu Vaccine 

Here are four reasons you shouldn’t talk yourself out of getting an annual flu shot.

  1. People with autoimmune disorders are at greater risk for influenza. Having an autoimmune disease like RA increases your risk of developing viral, bacterial, and fungal infections and can amplify their intensity, says Calabrese. “When you have RA, infections like the flu may be more severe for you than for those who don’t have an autoimmune condition, and you’re more likely to experience related complications like pneumonia,” she says.
  2. Medication used to treat RA increases your odds for infection. Many drugs that are prescribed to treat RA work by suppressing the immune system, which increases the likelihood you’ll catch the flu. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologics, and janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors can all make your body more susceptible to infections and viruses. Steroids like prednisone can also leave you more susceptible to infection.
  3. Consider vaccinations to help prevent other infections and diseases, as well. When you have RA, it’s important to stay on top of all of your vaccinations, not just the annual flu vaccine. According to the Arthritis Foundation, if you have RA, you should not only get a COVID-19 vaccine but also — depending on which type you get — consider getting a booster. Additional vaccines are also recommended for older adults, especially vaccinations that help prevent serious health problems that people with conditions like RA may be more susceptible to. The CDC recommends the pneumonia vaccine for anyone 65 or older and any adult who is at increased risk due to a medical condition, including those with RA. Adults over 50 should also receive two doses, separated by 2 to 6 months, of a non-live shingles vaccine, says the CDC. This year’s flu shot also does not contain the live virus. Talk to your rheumatologist about which vaccines are best for you and when you should get them. On the bright side, a study published in June 2018 in the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases found that people with RA who received the flu vaccine — especially those who were older — had a significantly lower risk of dying from the flu than those who didn’t get the shot. And although the CDC reported much lower numbers of flu cases than usual for the 2020–2021 flu season, this was largely influenced by people staying home more than usual and wearing a mask when they went out due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Because the flu can be unpredictable, and with more people going back to work and school, experts are predicting that the 2021–2022 flu season may be worse.

How to Stay Healthy This Flu Season

If you have RA, the first step you can take to help lower your risk of infection and keep yourself healthy is to get a flu shot. Your primary care provider can administer your shot, or you can get it at one of the many pharmacies that offer the vaccine. You should also ask other members of your household to get vaccinated and avoid close contact with loved ones who become sick. If illness does strike your household, be sure to frequently clean and disinfect all surfaces. There are other precautionary measures you can take to help protect yourself against the flu. Start with these steps:

Wash your hands regularly.Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.Practice an overall healthy lifestyle by getting plenty of sleep, exercising regularly, managing stress, staying hydrated, and eating healthy.

Additional reporting by Erica Patino