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COVID-19 & SpA

As COVID-19 continues to circulate around the globe, we at the Spondylitis Association of America are committed to providing you with the most accurate and up-to-date information to help you navigate these uncertain times, and manage your spondyloarthritis.

We’ve listened to your questions and concerns, and created content featuring expert advice specifically for our community. We hope you find answers to your questions here, community and connection through our social media channels and virtual support groups, and solace in knowing we’re here to help you in every way we can.

We are all in this together. We invite you to reach out to us at programs@spondylitis.org if you need additional help or resources. We’re here for you.

FDA Approves Updated mRNA Vaccines for 2023-2024

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on Monday, September 11, 2023 that it has approved updated mRNA vaccines for 2023-2024. These vaccines target the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant as well as EG.5 and BA.2.86, the currently circulating viral variants causing COVID-19. Some larger pharmacies may have the new vaccines within the next week.

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Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases and the Risks of Long COVID

While researchers have studied how inflammatory rheumatic diseases and the use of immunosuppressants affect the early stage of COVID-19, fewer studies have focused on long-term effects of the virus.

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Medications to Treat or Prevent COVID-19

Vaccination remains the first line of defense against COVID-19 for those who live with spondyloarthritis (SpA). In an earlier article, I discussed the most recent guidelines and CDC recommendations for those who are immunocompromised or taking immunosuppressive medications.1 But beyond vaccination, there are several new medical approaches to prevent or treat COVID-19.

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Immunocompromised, and Denied Covid Shots or Medication?

At SAA, we heard that many of you were struggling with certain roadblocks as you sought Covid vaccines or care. So, we posed the following questions to the spondyloarthritis (SpA) community: Are you immunocompromised (due to medications used to treat SpA)? Have you tried to get the extra vaccine dose recommended by the CDC and had your request denied?

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Covid Vaccines and Treatments: The Latest Guidelines and Recommendations for SpA

The COVID-19 pandemic, and the ever-evolving guidelines for vaccination and treatment, have created some confusion for patients as well as for health care providers. Physicians, nurses, and other health personnel play crucial roles in managing this disease and caring for patients.

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CDC Recommends Additional COVID-19 Vaccine Doses For the Immunocompromised and Other Groups

U.S. health officials say that those who are immunocompromised and received mRNA vaccines should receive a third primary dose of the vaccine, followed by a booster shot. Speak with your doctor to find out if you qualify.

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COVID-19 Vaccine Reactions Similar Between Adults with Rheumatic Diseases and General Population, International Survey Finds

Among adults with rheumatic diseases including spondyloarthritis, who received COVID-19 vaccines, the side effects reported by patients were typical of those reported by the general population, according to the results of the international COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance (C19-GRA) Vaccine Survey.

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New COVID-19 Vaccine Developments: The Latest Updates For Those with Spondyloarthritis

New COVID-19 Vaccine Developments: Investigating Rare Instances of Shingles in Those with Rheumatic Diseases After Pfizer Vaccination, the “Un-pausing” of the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Distribution, and Vaccine Efficacy with Remicade Treatment

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SAA Facebook Live: COVID-19 Vaccines & Spondyloarthritis Update

On Thursday, March 4th, 2021, the Spondylitis Association of America hosted part two of our Facebook Live conversation, “COVID-19 Vaccines & Spondyloarthritis: The Latest Updates.” With vaccinations against COVID-19 underway, rheumatologist James Rosenbaum, MD, and virologist and infectious disease specialist Bill Messer, MD, PhD delved into the latest updates regarding how the vaccines interact with SpA and the medications used to treat it.

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COVID-19 Vaccination and Juvenile Spondyloarthritis

The CDC recommends that everyone over the age of 12 should be vaccinated against COVID-19. But for adolescents living with a rheumatic disease such as juvenile spondyloarthritis, what are the risks and benefits? What other factors need to be considered? Pediatric Rheumatologist Dr. Pamela Weiss shares her insights.

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What the CDC Says You Can Do When You’re Fully Vaccinated

About one year into the COVID-19 pandemic, and with three vaccines approved against the virus, the CDC has issued guidance on what people can safely do once they have been fully vaccinated. (You are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your second dose of a two-dose vaccine, or two weeks after you receive a single-dose vaccine.)

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ACR Issues Statement Recommending COVID-19 Vaccination for Rheumatology Patients

With vaccinations against COVID-19 underway, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has released its COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Guidance Summary, strongly recommending that those living with rheumatic conditions, such as spondyloarthritis, get the vaccine.

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SAA Facebook Live: COVID-19 Vaccines & Spondyloarthritis

On Wednesday, December 9th, 2020, the Spondylitis Association of America hosted a Facebook Live discussion, “COVID-19 Vaccines & Spondyloarthritis.” This information-packed live conversation featured two medical experts answering our community’s most pressing questions about the upcoming COVID-19 vaccines and key considerations for the spondyloarthritis (SpA) community.

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COVID-19 and Spondyloarthritis Survey

The Spondylitis Association of America, in partnership with members of its Medical and Scientific Advisory Board, has spearheaded research into the possible impact spondyloarthritis, and medications used for spondyloarthritis, may have on COVID-19. Understanding the effects of spondyloarthritis, and the medications used in treating it, on COVID-19 is crucial for patients, doctors, and researchers alike. Taking part in this research will help answer critical questions for the benefit of everyone in the spondyloarthritis community.

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COVID-19 and Spondyloarthritis: Your Questions, Answered

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) virus continues its global spread, many of you in the spondylitis community have reached out with concerns about how it may affect you. The Spondylitis Association of America has spoken with rheumatologists and researchers, and compiled data from trusted medical and news sources in order to create this report, with one goal in mind: to address the specific questions and needs of those with spondyloarthritis (SpA), including ankylosing spondylitis, and related diseases. Scientific understanding of the virus is still evolving, so we will update this report as new information comes to light.

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How to Minimize COVID-19 Risk Indoors and Keep Your Home’s Air Quality Safe

While our social habits have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing remains the same: The desire to spend quality time with our loved ones. But indoor socializing comes with safety risks. What can we do to make our homes safer, and keep our families healthier, now and into the New Year? Read on to learn expert advice to boost indoor air quality and reduce the risk of transmission at home.

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My Never-Ending Story: Surviving AS, RA, and COVID-19

My name is Jessica Thomas, and I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend – and, as of August 2020, a COVID-19 patient and now, survivor.

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I Had COVID-19

I had COVID-19. Here is how that went. Spoiler alert: This isn’t a riveting account of survival against all odds.

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Impact of Home Confinement During COVID-19 on the Spondyloarthritis Community

As COVID-19 continues to spread, a recent study sought to investigate how those with spondyloarthritis (SpA) are impacted by the pandemic, as well as by social distancing measures and stay-at-home orders. The study focused specifically on the impact of pandemic-related home confinement on disease activity, treatment modifications, level of physical activity, and mental health.

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SAA’s COVID-19 and Spondyloarthritis Survey: Initial Findings Now Published!

What do COVID-19 and spondyloarthritis have in common? One answer is that they both involve the immune system. Patients and medical providers need to know if these medications might be harmful by increasing the risk of contracting COVID-19 or the risk of developing life-threatening COVID-19.

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SpA & COVID-19

What someone with spondyloarthritis wants healthy people to know about living with SpA during a pandemic: It’s the same as always. We don’t have a lot of answers, and we are also pretty scared.

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ACR’s COVID-19 Clinical Guidance for Adults with Rheumatic Diseases

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) COVID-19 Task Force has developed a “living document” (that will be updated as new information comes in) to help support doctors and patients in the management of adults with rheumatic and autoimmune diseases throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In the case of exposure to the virus, the document can be used as a tool to help guide risk assessment, infection prevention, and any potential treatment modifications.

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Are You Prepared for an Emergency Situation, COVID-19 or Otherwise?

In an emergency, time and accuracy are of the essence – and those with spondyloarthritis have an especially pressing need for emergency preparedness. Fusion in the spine, combined with an increased risk of osteoporosis, puts many with spondyloarthritis at 11 times greater risk of spinal fracture. If you contract COVID-19 and require intubation, there are risks and guidelines both you and your medical provider should know.

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The Race to Find Effective Treatments for COVID-19

With the COVID-19 pandemic exacting a costly toll on human lives, the healthcare system, and the economy across the globe, researchers are racing to find treatments that may prove effective against the virus. There are at least 70 potential COVID-19 vaccines in development, according to the World Health Organization, with three now in clinical trials.1 Biotech and pharmaceutical companies in the U.S., China and elsewhere are in various stages of testing experimental vaccines that could protect people from infection.

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Social Distancing

Immunocompromised communities and a growing portion of the general public are practicing social distancing: foregoing events, avoiding public spaces, limiting face-to-face interactions, and staying home more than normal. This behavior, which is recommended by governments and health agencies, is designed to limit the possibility of contact between infected individuals and those who are not infected, and thus slow disease transmission. The more we are able to slow transmission, the less likely our healthcare centers are to become overwhelmed by a rapid spike in new cases.

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Does Having Spondyloarthritis Put You at Greater Risk For COVID-19?

The word “pandemic” has stirred up concern and added fresh fuel to the fear many already feel regarding their susceptibility to the disease. As a follow-up to our article about spondyloarthritis (SpA) and the coronavirus last week, we wanted to share the facts regarding pandemics and answer some of your most urgent questions.

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How to Work from Home During the Pandemic

Many of us find ourselves in the unusual situation of working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Working from home, for those who have never done it, can be a blessing and a curse. Here are a few tips on how to manage working from home – and how to stay mentally and emotionally healthy in the process.

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Your Practical Toolkit for COVID-19

To help you find your footing, we’ve put together a toolkit of practical resources that might assist you in this rapidly shifting landscape. In this article, we address COVID-19 testing, health and hygiene tips, insurance, food security, and other topics. We hope this guide helps keep you healthy and safe.

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COVID-19 & Spondyloarthritis Facebook Live Stream

On Thursday, March 26, SAA hosted a Facebook Live Stream with rheumatologist Dr. John Reveille and psychologist Dr. Liz Maines. This informative discussion answered questions from the community about the high risk COVID-19 population, the emotional impact of the current pandemic upon the spondylitis community, and tips for dealing with fear, stress, and anxiety.

Watch Recording

Take Action: Current COVID-19 Advocacy Campaigns

Support our current campaigns surrounding new COVID-19 Laws and pending legislation, waiving co-pays and deductibles for coronavirus testing; and petitioning your representative to make COVID-19 test kits more widely available in clinic offices.

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Donations by members of the SAA, including our corporate member Novartis, support our COVID-19 resources.

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