Will steroids given within 2 weeks of receiving the MMR and varicella vaccines affect the immune response to these vaccines?
The exact amount of systemically absorbed corticosteroids and the duration of administration needed to suppress the immune system of an otherwise immunocompetent person are not well-defined. A majority of experts agree that corticosteroid therapy usually is not a contraindication to administering live-virus vaccine when it is short-term (i.e., <2 weeks); a low to moderate dose; long-term, alternate-day treatment with short-acting preparations; maintenance physiologic doses (replacement therapy); or administered topically (skin or eyes) or by intra-articular, bursal, or tendon injection. Although of theoretical concern, no evidence of increased severity of reactions to live vaccines has been reported among persons receiving corticosteroid therapy by aerosol, and such therapy is not a reason to delay vaccination. The immunosuppressive effects of steroid treatment vary, but the majority of clinicians consider a dose equivalent to either at least 2 mg/kg of body weight or a total of 20 mg/
Related Questions
- Will steroids given within 2 weeks of receiving the MMR and varicella vaccines affect the immune response to these vaccines?
- Can MMR and varicella vaccines be given on the same day but at different times, e.g., MMR at 9 a.m. and varicella at 4 p.m.?
- What do you do if MMR and varicella vaccines are given less than 28 days apart?
