Are the COVID Vaccines Safe in IBD?

All Gastroenterology societies including Crohns and Colitis Canada strongly recommend that all IBD patients receive the COVID vaccines as the benefits highly outweigh any potential risks. 5 vaccinations in the series are recommended.

 

Although, it is ultimately an individual decision to be made after a discussion with your healthcare provider. 

 

The following are points of discussion often brought up in the clinic setting:

1. Data on individuals with a weak immune system are lacking: Unfortunately, the vaccine trials excluded individuals who have weak immune systems from medication or with immune disorders. Hence, there is no conclusive evidence on the efficacy or safety of vaccines on this population. 

2. Risk of adverse events: It is not currently known what the risk of adverse events are in immunosuppressed individuals. However, there is no reason to believe that it will cause major adverse events any more than the general population in immunosuppressed individuals

3. Risk of relapse of underlying IBD: It is not currently known what the risk of relapse of underlying IBD is in individuals taking immunosuppressant medications. However, there is no reason to believe that it will cause a flare. 

4. The risk of Vaccine-induced Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura: The risk with mRNA vaccines, specifically COVID vaccines are roughly 1 in 10,000-50,000. It is a low risk but a risk nonetheless. 

5. The COVID Vaccine is not a live vaccine: mRNA vaccines are not considered live vaccines and do not carry the same risk as if you were to be vaccinated by other live vaccines such as the MMR. At the time of writing this article, there are currently no known undergoing development of live vaccine technologies around the world. 

 

At the end of the day, while healthcare professionals strongly encourage all patients to receive the COVID vaccines, it is ultimately a personal decision guided by one's values and health circumstances. One must also consider other factors that can increase their risk of contracting COVID and the sequelae of serious complications that come with an infection in an unvaccinated individual. 

 

Please visit the Crohn’s and Colitis Canada Foundation website for more information and updates regarding COVID vaccination in this population. https://crohnsandcolitis.ca/covid19

 

Reference for additional reading: 

1. Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. Impact of COVID-19 and Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada. 2021. Link available: Crohn's and Colitis Canada COVID-19 and IBD task force guidance statements).