Bcg Vaccine (Tice Strain) (BCG vaccine, live/PF)

No dosing information is available for this tab.

BCG vaccine is administered percutaneously in the deltoid region using a sterile, single-use, multiple-puncture device; the vaccine should not be administered IV, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, or intradermally.

BCG vaccine for percutaneous administration is commercially available as a lyophilized powder; the powder should be reconstituted prior to administration. To prepare an adult dose, reconstitute the vaccine by adding 1 mL of sterile water for injection to one single-dose vial of the vaccine. To prepare a pediatric dose, reconstitute the vaccine by adding 2 mL of sterile water for injection to one single-dose vial of the vaccine. Gently swirl the vial until a homogenous suspension is obtained; avoid forceful agitation of the vial. Do not filter the contents of the vial. The reconstituted vaccine should be kept refrigerated (do not freeze), protected from direct sunlight, and used within 2 hours. Discard any unused portions.

To administer the vaccine, prepare and clean the skin. Drop the immunizing dose (0.2-0.3 mL) of BCG onto the surface of the skin and spread over a 1 by 2 inch area using the multiple-puncture device. An additional 1-2 drops of the vaccine may be added to ensure a very wet vaccination site. Loosely cover the site and keep dry for 24 hours after administration.

Store intact vials of BCG vaccine refrigerated (2-8degreesC) and protect from direct sunlight.

No dosing information is available for this tab.

No dosing information is available for this tab.

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.

Bcg Vaccines/Mefloquine

SEVERITY LEVEL: 1-Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Mefloquine may attenuate the immunization response to vaccines with attenuated live bacteria, such as BCG vaccine.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use may make the vaccine ineffective.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer of mefloquine states that vaccinations with vaccines containing attenuated live bacteria should be completed three days before the initiation of mefloquine.(1)

DISCUSSION: The manufacturer of mefloquine states that attenuation of immunization response to vaccines with attenuated live bacteria cannot be excluded and therefore the manufacturer of mefloquine states that vaccinations with vaccines containing attenuated live bacteria should be completed three days before the initiation of mefloquine.(1)

Live Vaccines/Bevacizumab

SEVERITY LEVEL: 1-Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Systemic bevacizumab suppresses the immune system. Immunocompromised patients may be at increased risk for uninhibited replication after administration of live, attenuated vaccines. Immune response to vaccines may be decreased during periods of immunocompromise.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: The expected serum antibody response may not be obtained and/or the vaccine may result in illness.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Immunosuppressive diseases (e.g. hematologic malignancies, HIV disease), treatments (e.g. radiation) and drugs may all increase the magnitude of immunodeficiency. Intravitreal injections of small doses of bevacizumab for macular degeneration or macular edema are not expected to suppress immune function.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The Centers for Disease Control(CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) states that live-virus and live, attenuated vaccines should not be administered to patients who are immunocompromised. The magnitude of immunocompromise and associated risks should be determined by a physician.(1) Intravitreal injections of small doses of bevacizumab for macular degeneration or macular edema are not expected to suppress immune function. For patients scheduled to receive chemotherapy, vaccination should ideally precede the initiation of chemotherapy by 14 days. Patients vaccinated while on immunosuppressive therapy or in the 2 weeks prior to starting therapy should be considered unimmunized and should be revaccinated at least 3 months after discontinuation of therapy.(1)

DISCUSSION: Killed or inactivated vaccines do not pose a danger to immunocompromised patients.(1) Patients with a history of leukemia who are in remission and have not received chemotherapy for at least 3 months are not considered to be immunocompromised.(1)

Live Vaccines/Rebisufligene Etisparvovec

SEVERITY LEVEL: 1-Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Rebisufligene etisparvovec therapy may suppress the immune system. Immunocompromised patients may be at increased risk for uninhibited replication after administration of live, attenuated vaccines. Immune response to vaccines may be decreased during periods of immunocompromise.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: The expected serum antibody response may not be obtained.(1) The vaccine may result in illness.(1,2)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The US manufacturer of rebisufligene etisparvovec states that vaccines should be avoided 30 days prior to rebisufligene etisparvovec administration.(1)

DISCUSSION: Rebisufligene etisparvovec therapy may pose a risk for vaccine-derived infections and decrease the effectiveness of vaccines.(1)

Live Vaccines/Vusolimogene Oderparepvec

SEVERITY LEVEL: 1-Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: The interaction potential of live virus vaccines with vusolimogene oderparepvec is unknown.

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent administration of live vaccines with vusolimogene oderparepvec may alter the effectiveness or toxicities of either agent.

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer of vusolimogene oderparepvec states that vaccines containing live attenuated viruses should be avoided during vusolimogene oderparepvec therapy.(2) Patients should be advised that their cancer gene therapy may be delayed due to administration of vaccines.(3)

DISCUSSION: The concomitant use of live attenuated vaccines and vusolimogene oderparepvec has not been evaluated. The manufacturer's recommendation is based on vaccine guidance used in clinical trials.(2)

Live Vaccines; Live Bcg/Selected Immunosuppressive Agents

SEVERITY LEVEL: 1-Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: A variety of disease modifying agents suppress the immune system. Immunocompromised patients may be at increased risk for uninhibited replication after administration of live, attenuated vaccines or intravesicular BCG. Immune response to vaccines may be decreased during periods of immunocompromise.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: The expected serum antibody response may not be obtained and/or the vaccine may result in illness.(1) After instillation of intravesicular BCG, immunosuppression may interfere with local immune response, or increase the severity of mycobacterial infection following inadvertent systemic exposure.(2)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Immunosuppressive diseases (e.g. hematologic malignancies, HIV disease), treatments (e.g. radiation) and drugs may all increase the magnitude of immunodeficiency.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The Centers for Disease Control(CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) states that live-virus and live, attenuated vaccines should not be administered to patients who are immunocompromised. The magnitude of immunocompromise and associated risks should be determined by a physician.(1) For patients scheduled to receive chemotherapy, vaccination should ideally precede the initiation of chemotherapy by 14 days. Patients vaccinated while on immunosuppressive therapy or in the 2 weeks prior to starting therapy should be considered unimmunized and should be revaccinated at least 3 months after discontinuation of therapy.(1) Patients who receive anti-B cell therapies should not receive live vaccines for at least 6 months after such therapies due to a prolonged duration of immunosuppression. An exception is the Zoster vaccine, which can be given at least 1 month after receipt of anti-B cell therapies.(1) The US manufacturer of abatacept states live vaccines should not be given during or for up to 3 months after discontinuation of abatacept.(2) The US manufacturer of live BCG for intravesicular treatment of bladder cancer states use is contraindicated in immunosuppressed patients.(3) The US manufacturer of daclizumab states live vaccines are not recommended during and for up to 4 months after discontinuation of treatment.(4) The US manufacturer of guselkumab states that live vaccines should be avoided during treatment with guselkumab.(5) The US manufacturer of inebilizumab-cdon states that live vaccines are not recommended during treatment and after discontinuation until B-cell repletion. Administer all live vaccinations at least 4 weeks prior to initiation of inebilizumab-cdon.(6) The US manufacturer of ocrelizumab states that live vaccines are not recommended during treatment and until B-cell repletion occurs after discontinuation of therapy. Administer all live vaccines at least 4 weeks prior to initiation of ocrelizumab.(7) The US manufacturer of ozanimod states that live vaccines should be avoided during and for up to 3 months after discontinuation of ozanimod.(8) The US manufacturer of siponimod states that live vaccines are not recommended during treatment and for up to 4 weeks after discontinuation of treatment.(9) The US manufacturer of ustekinumab states BCG vaccines should not be given in the year prior to, during, or the year after ustekinumab therapy.(10) The US manufacturer of satralizumab-mwge states that live vaccines are not recommended during treatment and should be administered at least four weeks prior to initiation of satralizumab-mwge.(11) The US manufacturer of ublituximab-xiiy states that live vaccines are not recommended during treatment and until B-cell recovery. Live vaccines should be administered at least 4 weeks prior to initiation of ublituximab-xiiy.(12) The US manufacturer of etrasimod states that live vaccines should be avoided during and for 5 weeks after treatment. Live vaccines should be administered at least 4 weeks prior to initiation of etrasimod.(13) The US manufacturer of emapalumab-lzsg states that live vaccines should not be administered to patients receiving emapalumab-lzsg and for at least 4 weeks after the last dose of emapalumab-lzsg. The safety of immunization with live vaccines during or following emapalumab-lzsg therapy has not been studied.(14) The US manufacturer of sibeprenlimab-szsi states live vaccines should not be given within 30 days prior to initiation or during treatment with sibeprenlimab-szsi.(15)

DISCUSSION: Killed or inactivated vaccines do not pose a danger to immunocompromised patients.(1) Patients with a history of leukemia who are in remission and have not received chemotherapy for at least 3 months are not considered to be immunocompromised.(1)

Selected Immunosuppressants/Nadofaragene Firadenovec

SEVERITY LEVEL: 1-Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Nadofaragene firadenovec may contain low levels of replication-competent adenovirus.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of nadofaragene firadenovec in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy may cause disseminated adenovirus infection.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Individuals who are immunosuppressed or immune-deficient should not receive nadofaragene firadenovec.(1)

DISCUSSION: Nadofaragene firadenovec is a non-replicating adenoviral vector-based gene therapy but may contain low levels of replication-competent adenovirus. Immunocompromised persons, including those receiving immunosuppressant therapy, may be at risk for disseminated adenovirus infection.(1)

Selected Immunosuppressants/Talimogene Laherparepvec

SEVERITY LEVEL: 1-Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Talimogene laherparepvec is a live, attenuated herpes simplex virus.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of talimogene laherparepvec in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy may cause a life-threatening disseminated herpetic infection.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Talimogene laherparepvec is contraindicated in immunosuppressed patients.(1) The magnitude of immunocompromise and associated risks due to immunosuppressant drugs should be determined by a physician.

DISCUSSION: Concurrent use of talimogene laherparepvec in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy may cause a life-threatening disseminated herpetic infection.(1)

Vaccines/Pariglasgene Brecaparvovec

SEVERITY LEVEL: 1-Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Pariglasgene brecaparvovec therapy may decrease the effectiveness of vaccines. The mechanism is not known.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: The expected serum antibody response may not be obtained.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The US manufacturer of pariglasgene brecaparvovec states that vaccines should be avoided for 1 month prior to pariglasgene brecaparvovec administration.(1)

DISCUSSION: Pariglasgene brecaparvovec therapy may decrease the effectiveness of vaccines.(1)

Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

Immunosuppressives; Immunomodulators/Filgotinib

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Concurrent use of filgotinib with other immunosuppressants or immunomodulators including azathioprine, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), or other Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors may result in additive or synergistic effects on the immune system.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent use of filgotinib with other immunosuppressants or immunomodulators including azathioprine, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, biologic DMARDs, or other JAK inhibitors may increase the risk of serious infections.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The UK manufacturer of filgotinib states that concurrent use of filgotinib with other immunosuppressants or immunomodulators including azathioprine, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, biologic DMARDs, or other JAK inhibitors is not recommended.(1)

DISCUSSION: Serious infections have been reported in patients receiving filgotinib. Caution should be used in patients with a higher incidence of serious infection, including elderly patients aged 75 years and older.(1)

Live Bcg/Selected Antimycobacterials

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a live, attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis (M.bovis) used to induce a granulomatous response in the treatment of localized bladder cancer and as a vaccine to prevent tuberculosis.(1-2) Co-treatment with antibacterial agents active against M.bovis may lead to an attenuation of the immune response associated with BCG administration.(1-2)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: The effectiveness of chemotherapy may be impaired, or the vaccine may be ineffective. Agents linked to this monograph may have activity against M.bovis: amikacin, capreomycin, ciprofloxacin, clofazimine, cycloserine, ethambutol, ethionamide, gatifloxacin, isoniazid, kanamycin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, ofloxacin, rifabutin, rifampin, rifapentine, and streptomycin.

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Intravesical instillation of BCG should be postponed during treatment with antibacterials which may decrease effectiveness.(2) Administration of BCG vaccine to patients receiving antibiotic therapy should only be done under close medical supervision.(1) If a patient develops a systemic BCG infection due to intravesicular or vaccine administration, treatment with multiple antimycobacterial agents may be required.

DISCUSSION: Because antibiotic therapy may prevent sufficient vaccine-organism replication to generate an immune response, the manufacturer of BCG vaccine states that administration of BCG vaccine to patients receiving antibiotic therapy should only be done under close medical supervision.(1) Pyrazinamide is not included in this interaction as BCG is not sensitive to pyrazinamide.(2)

Live Vaccines/Brensocatib

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Brensocatib may suppress the immune system by inhibiting dipeptidyl peptidase-1 (DPP-1). Brensocatib prevents the activation of neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs) during neutrophil maturation in the bone marrow.(1) Immunocompromised patients may be at increased risk for uninhibited replication after administration of live, attenuated vaccines. Immune response to vaccines may be decreased during periods of immunocompromise.(2)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: The expected serum antibody response may not be obtained. The vaccine may result in illness. Immune response to live vaccines may be decreased during periods of immunocompromise.(2)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Immunosuppressive diseases (e.g. hematologic malignancies, HIV disease), treatments (e.g. radiation) and drugs may all increase the magnitude of immunodeficiency.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The coadministration of live vaccines and brensocatib should be avoided.(1) The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) states that live-virus and live-attenuated vaccines should not be administered to patients who are immunocompromised. The magnitude of immunocompromise and associated risks should be determined by a physician.(2)

DISCUSSION: Killed or inactivated vaccines do not pose a danger to immunocompromised patients.(2) The concomitant use of live attenuated vaccines and brensocatib has not been evaluated. Brensocatib may suppress the immune system by inhibiting dipeptidyl peptidase-1 (DPP-1).(1)

Live Vaccines/Leniolisib

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Leniolisib modifies the immune system. Immune response to live vaccines may be decreased during treatment with leniolisib.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: The expected serum antibody response may not be obtained.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Immunosuppressive diseases (e.g. hematologic malignancies, HIV disease), treatments (e.g. radiation) and drugs may all increase the magnitude of immunodeficiency.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The manufacturer of leniolisib states live, attenuated vaccinations may be less effective if administered during leniolisib treatment.(1)

DISCUSSION: Killed or inactivated vaccines do not pose a danger to immunocompromised patients.(1)

Live Vaccines/Live Vaccines

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: The immune response to an injectable or nasally administered live vaccine may be impaired if it is administered within 28 days of another injectable or nasally administered live vaccine.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Non-simultaneous administration (i.e. given on different days) of an injectable or nasally administered live vaccine to an individual who has received another injectable or nasally administered live vaccine in the previous 28 days may result in the second vaccine being ineffective.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The CDC states that multiple injectable or nasal live vaccines (e.g. MMR and varicella) may be administered on the same day. However, injectable or nasally administered live vaccines not administered on the same day should be administered at least 4 weeks apart whenever possible. If injectable or nasal live vaccines are administered less than 4 weeks apart and not on the same day, the vaccine administered second should be considered invalid and be repeated at least 4 weeks after the last, invalid dose.(1)

DISCUSSION: The immune response to a live vaccine may be impaired if it is administered within 28 days of another live vaccine. In a study, patients who received varicella vaccine less than 28 days after MMR vaccination had an increased risk for varicella vaccine failure (i.e., varicella disease in a vaccinated person) of 2.5-fold compared with those who received varicella vaccine before or more than 28 days after MMR.(1)

Live Vaccines/Methotrexate (Low Strength Injection, Oral)

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: A variety of disease modifying agents such as methotrexate suppress the immune system. Immunocompromised patients may be at increased risk for uninhibited replication after administration of live, attenuated vaccines. Immune response to vaccines may be decreased during periods of immunocompromise.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: The expected serum antibody response may not be obtained and/or the vaccine may result in illness.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Immunosuppressive diseases (e.g. hematologic malignancies, HIV disease), treatments (e.g. radiation) and drugs may all increase the magnitude of immunodeficiency.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The Centers for Disease Control(CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) states that live-virus and live, attenuated vaccines should not be administered to patients who are immunocompromised. The magnitude of immunocompromise and associated risks should be determined by a physician.(1) CDC recommendations for zoster vaccine state it may be administered to patients receiving methotrexate if the dose is < or = to 0.4 mg/kg/week for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease or other conditions.(1) For patients scheduled to receive chemotherapy, vaccination should ideally precede the initiation of chemotherapy by 14 days. Patients vaccinated while on immunosuppressive therapy or in the 2 weeks prior to starting therapy should be considered unimmunized and should be revaccinated at least 3 months after discontinuation of therapy.(1)

DISCUSSION: Killed or inactivated vaccines do not pose a danger to immunocompromised patients.(1) Patients with a history of leukemia who are in remission and have not received chemotherapy for at least 3 months are not considered to be immunocompromised.(1)

Live Vaccines/Systemic Corticosteroids; Corticotropin (Acth)

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Corticosteroids and corticotropin suppress the immune system. In severely immunocompromised patients, virus replication after administration of live, attenuated-virus vaccines can be enhanced and/or the immune response to the vaccine may be decreased.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: The expected serum antibody response may not be obtained and/or the vaccine may result in illness.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Patients receiving immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids or corticotropin for equal to or greater than 14 consecutive days.(1)

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) states that live-virus and live, attenuated vaccines should not be administered to patients who are severely immunosuppressed, including those who are receiving or have received high-dose, systemic steroids for greater than or equal to 14 consecutive days. Live vaccines should be deferred for at least 1 month after discontinuation of high-dose systemic steroids administered for 14 consecutive days. When initiating immunosuppressives doses of corticosteroids, wait 4 weeks after a live vaccines is administered. However, if patients require therapy for chronic inflammatory conditions, do not delay therapy due to past vaccines. Patients who are vaccinated within the 14 days prior to initiating immunosuppressive therapy should be considered unvaccinated and should be revaccinated at least 3 months after immunosuppressive therapy is discontinued.(1) The US manufacturer of corticotropin(2) and triamcinolone(3) and the Australian manufacturer of dexamethasone(4) state that administration of live or live-attenuated vaccines is contraindicated in patients receiving immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids or corticotropin. The manufacturer of deflazacort states that live or live-attenuated vaccines should be administered at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to initiation of therapy with deflazacort.(5)

DISCUSSION: Many clinicians consider a dose equivalent to either 2 mg/kg of body weight or a total of 20 mg/day of prednisone as sufficiently immunosuppressive to raise safety concerns about live-virus vaccines.(1) Immunization procedures may be undertaken in patients receiving corticosteroids when the therapy is short term (less than 2 weeks); low to moderate dose; long-term, alternate-day treatment with short-acting preparations; maintenance physiologic doses (replacement therapy); or administered topically (skin or eyes), by aerosol, or by intra-articular, bursal, or tendon injection.(1) Killed or inactivated vaccines do not pose a danger to immunocompromised patients.(1)

Live Vaccines/Tuberculin Testing

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Measles infection and severe acute and chronic infections may induce an anergic state resulting in a false-negative tuberculin test. The live measles vaccine, as well as other live vaccines (e.g. smallpox, varicella, yellow fever) theoretically may also suppress response to tuberculin testing, though the degree of suppression may be less than that expected from acute infection with wild-type virus.(1-4)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Tuberculin testing that is performed more than one day but less than 28 days after administration of a live vaccine may result in a false negative tuberculin response. Tuberculin testing may be administered simultaneously with live vaccines.(1-4)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The CDC states that live vaccines (e.g. MMR and varicella) and tuberculin testing may be administered within one day of each other at separate administration sites. If it has been more than one day since tuberculin testing has been administered, the live vaccine can be given at any interval after the tuberculin test. However, if the live vaccine has been administered more than one day previously and tuberculin testing is indicated, tuberculin testing should be deferred for at least 4-6 weeks.(1-4)

DISCUSSION: Suppression of response to tuberculin testing has been observed following measles infection, live measles vaccination, and live smallpox vaccination. The degree of suppression after live virus vaccination is likely to be less than that from an acute infection with wild-type virus. There is no data on suppression of response to tuberculin testing with other live vaccines. In the absence of data, the CDC recommends tuberculin testing within one day that a live vaccine is administered. Otherwise the tuberculin test should be deferred for at least 4-6 weeks.(1-4)

Live Vaccines; Live Bcg/Hydroxyurea

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Hydroxyurea may suppress the immune system.(1) Immunocompromised patients may be at increased risk for uninhibited replication after administration of live, attenuated vaccines or intravesicular BCG. Immune response to vaccines may be decreased during periods of immunocompromise.(2)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: The expected serum antibody response may not be obtained and/or the vaccine may result in illness.(2) After instillation of intravesicular BCG, immunosuppression may interfere with local immune response, or increase the severity of mycobacterial infection following inadvertent systemic exposure.(3)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Immunosuppressive diseases (e.g. hematologic malignancies), treatments (e.g. radiation) and cytotoxic drugs may all increase the magnitude of immunodeficiency.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: Recommendations for administration of live vaccines in patients on hydroxyurea are dependent on the indication. The US manufacturers of hydroxyurea recommend avoiding live vaccine use in patients taking hydroxyurea. Evaluate hematologic status prior to and during treatment with hydroxyurea. Provide supportive care and modify the dose or discontinue hydroxyurea as needed.(1) The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) states that live-virus and live, attenuated vaccines should not be administered to patients who are immunocompromised. The magnitude of immunocompromise and associated risks should be determined by a physician. Patients who are vaccinated within the 14 days prior to initiating immunosuppressive therapy should be considered unvaccinated and should be revaccinated at least 3 months after immunosuppressive therapy is discontinued.(2) The ACIP recommendations state that routine vaccinations patients with secondary immunodeficiency such as sickle cell disease are likely effective. Live viral and bacterial vaccines are contraindicated in patients with generalized malignant neoplasm, immunosuppressive, or radiation therapy, depending on immune status.(4)

DISCUSSION: Killed or inactivated vaccines do not pose a danger to immunocompromised patients.(2) Patients with a history of leukemia who are in remission and have not received chemotherapy for at least 3 months are not considered to be immunocompromised.(2) A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in infants and young children with sickle cell disease (BABY HUG) studied the response to pneumococcal and measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines in patients using hydroxyurea. The authors concluded that hydroxyurea does not appear to have significant deleterious effects on the immune function of infants and children with sickle cell disease. Additional assessments of lymphocyte parameters of hydroxyurea-treated children may be warranted. No changes in current immunization schedules are recommended; however, for endemic disease or epidemics, adherence to accelerated immunization schedules for the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine should be reinforced.(5)

Live Vaccines; Live Bcg/Teplizumab

SEVERITY LEVEL: 2-Severe Interaction: Action is required to reduce the risk of severe adverse interaction.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Teplizumab may cause lymphopenia and suppress the immune system. Immunocompromised patients may be at increased risk for uninhibited replication after administration of live, attenuated vaccines or intravesicular BCG. Immune response to vaccines may be decreased during periods of immunocompromise.(1,2)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: The expected serum antibody response may not be obtained. The vaccine may result in illness.(1,2) After instillation of intravesicular BCG, immunosuppression may interfere with local immune response, or increase the severity of mycobacterial infection following inadvertent systemic exposure.(3)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: Immunosuppressive diseases (e.g. hematologic malignancies, HIV disease), treatments (e.g. radiation) and drugs may all increase the magnitude of immunodeficiency.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) states that live-virus and live-attenuated vaccines should not be administered to patients who are immunocompromised. The magnitude of immunocompromise and associated risks should be determined by a physician.(1) Vaccination should ideally precede the initiation of teplizumab therapy by 8 weeks. Live vaccines are not recommended within the 8 weeks prior to, during, or for 52 weeks after stopping teplizumab therapy.(2)

DISCUSSION: Vaccinations may be less effective if administered within 8 weeks before, during, and for 52 weeks following teplizumab therapy.(2) Killed or inactivated vaccines do not pose a danger to immunocompromised patients.(1)

Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed.

Immunosuppressives; Immunomodulators/Covid-19 Vaccines

SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: Immunosuppressants and immunomodulators may prevent the immune system from properly responding to the COVID-19 vaccine.(1-3)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: Administration of a COVID-19 vaccine with immunosuppressants or immunomodulators may interfere with vaccine-induced immune response and impair the efficacy of the vaccine. However, patients should be offered and given a COVID-19 vaccine even if the use and timing of immunosuppressive agents cannot be adjusted.(1-3)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),(1) Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA),(2) and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)(3) have published guidances for COVID-19 vaccination in patients on immunosuppressants. The CDC states that all immunocompromised patients over 6 months of age should receive at least 1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine if eligible. See the CDC's Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines for specific recommendations based on age, vaccination history, and vaccine manufacturer.(1) The CDC advises planning for vaccination at least 2 weeks before starting or resuming immunosuppressive therapy.(1) IDSA recommends timing COVID-19 vaccination at least 2 weeks before starting or at least 3 months after completing immunosuppressive therapy.(2) The ACR states that in general, immunosuppressants and immunomodulators should be held for 1-2 weeks after each vaccine dose.(3) Patients should be offered and given a COVID-19 vaccine even if the use and timing of immunosuppressive agents cannot be adjusted, though the immune response will likely be blunted. COVID-19 vaccines should not be delayed in patients taking immunosuppressive therapies.(1-2) See below for specific recommendations for certain agents. B-cell depleting agents, including rituximab: The CDC states that the utility of B-cell quantification to guide clinical care is not known and is not recommended. Patients who receive B-cell depleting therapy on a continuing basis should receive COVID-19 vaccines about 4 weeks before the next scheduled dose. For patients who received 1 or more doses of COVID-19 vaccine during treatment with B-cell-depleting therapies that were administered over a limited period (e.g., as part of a treatment regimen for certain malignancies), revaccination may be considered according to the current CDC recommendations for unvaccinated patients. The suggested interval to start revaccination is about 6 months after completion of the B-cell-depleting therapy.(1) IDSA recommends waiting for at least 3-6 months after the last infusion of B-cell depleting therapy before administering COVID-19 vaccines.(2) The ACR recommends consulting with the rheumatologist to determine optimal timing of COVID-19 vaccination. Measuring CD19 B cells may be considered to determine need for a booster vaccine dose. If B cell levels are not measured, a supplemental vaccine dose 2-4 weeks before the next scheduled dose of rituximab is recommended.(3) Recipients of hematopoietic cell transplant or CAR-T-cell therapy who received one or more doses of COVID-19 vaccine prior to or during treatment should undergo revaccination following the current CDC recommendations for unvaccinated patients. Revaccination should start at least 3 months (12 weeks) after transplant or CAR-T-cell therapy.(1,2) The CDC includes abatacept, cyclophosphamide, and TNF-alpha and cytokine inhibitors in their general recommendation to hold therapy for at least 2 weeks following vaccination (1) while the ACR provides different recommendations:(3) *Abatacept: - Subcutaneous abatacept should be withheld for 1-2 weeks after each vaccine dose, as disease activity allows. - For intravenous abatacept, time administration so that vaccination will occur 1 week before the next abatacept infusion. *Cyclophosphamide: When feasible, administer cyclophosphamide 1 week after each COVID-19 vaccine dose. *TNF-alpha inhibitors and cytokine inhibitors: The ACR was not able to reach consensus on whether to modify dosing or timing of these agents with COVID-19 vaccination.

DISCUSSION: IDSA recommendations are based on cohort and case control studies in immunocompromised patients that found low to modest vaccine effectiveness (37-61%) but lower risks of COVID-19 association hospitalization, COVID-19 related mortality, and critical illness.(2) The ACR convened a COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance Task Force to provide guidance on optimal use of COVID-19 vaccines in rheumatology patients. These recommendations are based on limited clinical evidence of COVID-19 vaccines in patients without rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders and evidence of other vaccines in this patient population.(3) The ACR recommendation for rituximab is based on studies of humoral immunity following receipt of other vaccines. These studies have uncertain generalizability to vaccination against COVID-19, as it is unknown if efficacy is attributable to induction of host T cells versus B cell (antibody-based) immunity.(3) The ACR recommendation for mycophenolate is based on preexisting data of mycophenolate on non-COVID-19 vaccine immunogenicity. Emerging data suggests that mycophenolate may impair SARS-CoV-2 vaccine response in rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease and transplant patients.(3) The ACR recommendation for methotrexate is based on data from influenza vaccines and pneumococcal vaccines with methotrexate.(3) The ACR recommendation for JAK inhibitors is based on concerns related to the effects of JAK inhibitors on interferon signaling that may result in a diminished vaccine response.(3) The ACR recommendation for subcutaneous abatacept is based on several studies suggesting a negative effect of abatacept on vaccine immunogenicity. The first vaccine dose primes naive T cells, naive T cell priming is inhibited by CTLA-4, and abatacept is a CTLA-4Ig construct. CTLA-4 should not inhibit boosts of already primed T cells at the time of the second vaccine dose.(3)

Vaccines/Hepatitis B Vaccine (Fendrix)

SEVERITY LEVEL: 3-Moderate Interaction: Assess the risk to the patient and take action as needed.

MECHANISM OF ACTION: No data is available on the concurrent administration of the hepatitis B vaccine Fendrix and other vaccines.(1)

CLINICAL EFFECTS: It is unknown if concurrent administration of the hepatitis B vaccine Fendrix and other vaccines will affect the efficacy of either vaccine.(1)

PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined.

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The Swedish manufacturer of Fendrix states that since there is no data available for the concurrent administration of Fendrix with other vaccines, the administration of Fendrix and other vaccines should be separated by 2 to 3 weeks.(1)

DISCUSSION: No data is available on the concurrent administration of the hepatitis B vaccine Fendrix with other vaccines.(1)

*Individuals with impaired immunologic responses because of HIV infection, congenital immunodeficiency (e.g., chronic granulomatous disease or interferon gamma receptor deficiency), leukemia, lymphoma, or generalized malignancy.

*Individuals who are immunosuppressed as a result of steroid use or treatment with alkylating agents, antimetabolites, or radiation.

*HIV-infected or immunocompromised infants, children, or adults.

*Individuals with allergies to any component of the vaccine or an anaphylactic or allergic reaction to a previous dose.

*Individuals with active tuberculosis (TB).

*Infants, children, or adults with severe immune deficiency syndromes, and children with a family history of immune deficiency disease.

• BCG infection
• Chronic granulomatous disease
• HIV infection
• Immunocompromised patient
• Immunosuppression
• Leukemia
• Malignant lymphoma
• Pregnancy

There are no severe contraindications for this drug.

There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.

Local reactions are common after BCG vaccination.

More Frequent

• Injection site sequelae
• Lymphadenopathy

Less Frequent

• Injection site abscess

Rare or Very Rare

• BCG infection
• Erythema nodosum
• Osteomyelitis
• Skin ulcer

Less Frequent

• Fever
• Flu-like symptoms

Rare or Very Rare

• Induration of skin

No enhanced messaging available.

BCG vaccine is used in pediatric patients. Infants younger than 1 month of age should receive 1/2 of the usual dose.

It is not known whether BCG vaccine can cause fetal harm if administered during pregnancy. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with the vaccine. CDC recommends that pregnant women not receive BCG vaccination pending further studies to support safety in this population.

It is not known whether BCG vaccine is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk and because of the potential for serious adverse reactions from BCG in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or not to vaccinate, taking into account the importance of tuberculosis vaccination to the mother.

Clinical studies did not include sufficient numbers of patients >=65 years of age to determine whether they respond differently from younger patients. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in response between elderly and younger patients. An intact immune system is a prerequisite for BCG vaccination. If the immune status of an elderly patient, or any patient, is in question, withhold BCG vaccination until immune status has been evaluated.