Safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in psoriatic patients treated with biologics: a real experience – Maria Letizia – – Dermatologic therapy

Vaccination is the most effective method to prevent and control infection with SARS-CoV-2 and biologicals are not considered a contraindication to vaccination. The burning question is that safety data is lacking as patients taking drugs that affect the immune system have been excluded from clinical trials leading to vaccine approval. In addition, it appears that vaccination can make psoriasis worse. We conducted a survey to study the safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in psoriatic patients treated with biologics. A total of 150 patients with stable plaque psoriasis treated with biologics for at least 2 months were evaluated over a three-month period. Fifty patients (22 F / 28 M; age: 33-83 years) received only the first and second doses of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. All patients stopped their biological agents 10 days before and 10 days after each dose of vaccine. Of these, 24 patients were treated with anti-TNF, 14 with anti-IL17, 7 with anti-IL12-23 and 5 with anti-IL23. After vaccinations, all patients were assessed on days 2, 7, and 14 for local and / or systemic side effects and / or adverse reactions to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. None of the patients experienced side effects or a psoriatic flare. Only 1 patient treated with infliximab biosimilar experienced exacerbation of psoriasis after vaccination. The remaining 100 patients said they had not yet received the vaccine. Our preliminary data confirms that SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines are safe for patients with chronic plaque psoriasis treated with biologics and have not triggered psoriasis, although these data need to be validated in a further larger population. We encourage early administration of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in all psoriatic patients on immunosuppressants.

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