Clinical Quiz: 2022 ACR Vaccine Recommendations for People With Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disease

Author(s):

Key Takeaways

Over 58.5 million Americans have rheumatic diseases, with 300,000 children affected by juvenile arthritis.
Vaccination is a critical consideration in treating RMDs, especially for patients on immunosuppressants.
The ACR's 2022 guidelines provide 19 vaccination recommendations for RMDs, including three strong recommendations.
Key vaccines addressed include influenza, pneumococcal, recombinant varicella-zoster virus, and human papillomavirus.

This clinical quiz, our first in a series of 3, focuses on recommendations for specific vaccines from the 2022 ACR vaccination guidelines.

HCPLive clinical quiz image. Credit: HCPLive

Over 58.5 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with rheumatic diseases (RMDs), including an estimated 300,000 children living with some type of juvenile arthritis.¹

There are many factors to consider when treating patients with RMDs and musculoskeletal diseases, especially people that may be taking immunosuppressants. One such factor is vaccinations.

In 2022, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) issued new guidance and recommendations for vaccinations in people with RMDs and musculoskeletal diseases. The 16-page document, which was the group's first new guideline on the topic since 2022, contained 19 recommendations, including 3 strong recommendations. In this clinical quiz, the first in a series of 4 based on the guideline, we test your knowledge on recommendations for influenza, pnuemococcal, recombinant varicella-zoster virus, and human papillomavirus vaccinations.²

What is the recommendation for influenza vaccination in patients with RMD aged ≥65 years?

A) Regular-dose influenza vaccination

B) High-dose or adjuvanted influenza vaccination

C) No vaccination

D) Only if the patient is symptomatic

References

1. ACR. American College of Rheumatology Releases 2022 Rheumatic Disease Report Card. News release. September 15, 2022. https://rheumatology.org/press-releases/american-college-of-rheumatology-releases-2022-rheumatic-disease-report-card

2. Bass AR, Chakravarty E, Akl EA, et al. 2022 American College of Rheumatology Guideline for Vaccinations in Patients With Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases. Arth Care Res. 2023(75)3. 449–464. doi: 10.1002/acr.25045