Recent findings reaffirm previous research that there is no significant association between COVID-19 vaccination and lupus flares. The latest data adds to a growing body of scientific evidence that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and well tolerated within the lupus population.

The study included 914 adults with lupus, roughly half (49.1%) of whom had received two COVID-19 vaccines. This vaccination rate in the lupus population was much lower than the general population vaccination rate (77.8%) at the time of data analysis. At six weeks following vaccination, researchers looked at lupus flare rates in those who were vaccinated and compared them to those who had not. Flare rates were comparable in the two groups.

Among the 449 people who had received the two shots: 37 people (8.2%) experienced a flare, 34 of which (91.9%) were mild/moderate and three (8.1%) were severe.

In an equal number of people in the unvaccinated group: 28 (6.2%) had a flare, 17 of which (60.7%) were mild/moderate and 11 (39.2%) were severe.

In this study, people with active lupus and a history of arthritis or discoid lupus skin lesions were more likely to experience a flare after vaccination than other people with lupus. However, overall, the COVID-19 vaccine was not linked to increased risk of lupus flares.

Talk to your doctor about the COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and lupus.

Read the study