From the Guidelines
Yes, you can generally receive a Hepatitis B vaccine while taking Tremfya (guselkumab). Hepatitis B vaccines are inactivated (non-live) vaccines, which are considered safe for people on biologic medications like Tremfya 1. Tremfya is an interleukin-23 blocker used to treat conditions like psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, and while it does affect parts of your immune system, it doesn't typically prevent you from developing protection from inactivated vaccines. However, your immune response to the vaccine might be somewhat reduced while on Tremfya.
Key Considerations
- It's essential to discuss your complete medication history with your healthcare provider before vaccination, as individual circumstances may vary 1.
- Your doctor might recommend completing the Hepatitis B vaccination series (typically three shots over 6 months) before starting Tremfya when possible, but this isn't always necessary or practical.
- If you're at high risk for Hepatitis B exposure, getting vaccinated even while on Tremfya is generally better than remaining unprotected.
Vaccine Administration
- The recommended HBV dose and schedule varies by product and age of recipient, as outlined in Table 6 of the MMWR Recommendations and Reports 1.
- Hepatitis B vaccination is usually well tolerated by the majority of recipients, with pain at the injection site and low-grade fever being reported by a minority of recipients 1.
- Periodic testing to determine antibody levels after routine vaccination among immunocompetent persons is unnecessary, and booster doses of vaccine are not recommended 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
5.4 Immunizations Avoid use of live vaccines in patients treated with TREMFYA. Medications that interact with the immune system may increase the risk of infection following administration of live vaccines. Prior to initiating therapy with TREMFYA, complete all age-appropriate vaccinations according to current immunization guidelines. No data are available on the response to live or inactive vaccines.
The Hepatitis B vaccine is an inactive vaccine. According to the label, no data are available on the response to inactive vaccines 2. However, it does not advise against the use of inactive vaccines. Therefore, it is likely that a Hepatitis B vaccine can be administered while taking Tremfya, but the response to the vaccine is unknown. It is recommended to consult a healthcare professional for personalized advice. Key considerations include:
- The type of vaccine (inactive vs live)
- The patient's immune status
- The potential risks and benefits of vaccination while taking Tremfya 2 2
From the Research
Hepatitis B Vaccine and Tremfya (Guselkumab)
- The provided studies do not directly address the interaction between the Hepatitis B vaccine and Tremfya (guselkumab) 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- However, it is known that individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those taking immunosuppressive medications, may have lower response rates to the Hepatitis B vaccine 5.
- The studies suggest that the Hepatitis B vaccine can be administered to individuals with underlying chronic disease and weakened immune systems, but the response rates may be lower 5, 6.
- There is no direct evidence to suggest that Tremfya (guselkumab) would prevent an individual from receiving the Hepatitis B vaccine, but it is essential to consider the individual's immune status and potential response to the vaccine 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
Key Considerations
- The Hepatitis B vaccine is generally safe and effective in preventing Hepatitis B infection 4, 5, 6, 7.
- Individuals taking immunosuppressive medications, such as Tremfya (guselkumab), should consult their healthcare provider to determine the best approach for vaccination 5, 6.
- The healthcare provider will assess the individual's immune status and potential response to the vaccine to determine the most appropriate course of action 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.