Researchers examined how disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) combination and monotherapy are associated with an immune response to an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

• Seroconversion (SC) of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) and neutralizing antibodies (NAb) induced by the inactivated vaccine (CoronaVac) were analyzed in this phase 4 prospective study of patients with RA in comparison to controls (CG).

• Moderate but lower SC (61.8% vs 94.2%) and NAb positivity (45% vs 78.6%) were recorded in patients with RA in comparison to CG after full vaccination.

• Immunogenicity was adversely affected by nearly all DMARD combinations, whereas this response was also hampered by a more restricted number of drugs (methotrexate/tofacitinib/abatacept/tocilizumab) as monotherapy.

• Considering these findings, researchers emphasize the necessity for a broader approach, not limited to specific drugs, to improve vaccine response for this population.