People with IBD may be at higher risk for flu-related complications, especially if they take corticosteroids (steroids) or anti-TNF medications. Vaccination is an important way to reduce the risk of serious illness.
Key Recommendations
- Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines according to current public health recommendations.
- These recommendations apply to both adults and children with IBD.
COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
- COVID-19 vaccination is strongly recommended for everyone with IBD, including children and adolescents.
- People who are pregnant and have IBD should also receive COVID-19 vaccines according to current recommendations.
- Available COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be effective at reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
Safety
- COVID-19 vaccines are safe for people with IBD and have not been shown to worsen IBD or increase disease activity.
- The benefits of vaccination greatly outweigh the risks for most people with IBD.
Family Members and Caregivers
- Household members and close contacts should stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines to help protect people with IBD who may be immunocompromised.
- Household contacts of people taking immune-modifying medications should receive the inactivated flu vaccine, not the live nasal spray vaccine.
Pediatric IBD
For children and adolescents with IBD:
- Follow the recommended childhood schedule for COVID-19 vaccination.
- Children receiving immunosuppressive medications should not receive the live nasal spray flu vaccine.