Opens in a new tab

Medication Update for Canadian Pediatric Rheumatology Families: COVID Vaccine Response in Children with Autoimmune Disease

Children’s Healthcare Canada and ScienceUpFirst, with funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada, have declared February 23, 2023, to be National Kids and Vaccines Day 2023. As such, we wanted to bring you an important update from our research partners, the Yeung Lab regarding SUCCEED Kids – their study looking at Covid-19 vaccination in children with autoimmune disease.

Here are two important COVID vaccination updates for pediatric rheumatology families:

  • Antibody responses to COVID-19 vaccination in children with autoimmune diseases was lowest in individuals treated with biologics, with third and fourth vaccine doses necessary to yield robust and durable antibody responses.
  • Children treated with biologics, particularly anti-TNF agents and rituximab, have lower responses to COVID-19 vaccination.

You can still enroll in the SUCCEED KIDS study!

A simple blood sample taken at home, if done by enough families, can be transformed into powerful information about the health and safety of kids with rheumatic disease. Email yeunglab.clinicteam@sickkids.ca to sign up for this important study today or find more information here.

Learn more about #KidsVaccineDay here. Activities include a bilingual national town hall during which experts will respond to questions from Canadians.

Share this story. 

Related Posts

#KidsCantWait: Kylie’s Journey

Kylie’s Journey to Diagnosis Kylie took a bit of a tumble at a gymnastics birthday party and hurt her ankle when she was five. At the time it didn’t appear to be very serious and we continued on with the party. The next day her ankle became quite swollen so…

Read Story

#KidsCantWait: Laila’s Journey

The Start of Our Journey Laila’s journey started when she was just six years old. She began complaining of leg pain, something that many parents might chalk up to growing pains. We thought, like most parents, that it was just a phase—something that would pass in time. But it didn’t.…

Read Story

Blending Lived Experience with Research: Brittany’s Story

Hi! I’m Brittany – and I’m here to share with you a bit about my experience as someone who works in health research and lives with Ankylosing Spondylitis! I currently work as a Senior Research Associate at the University of Calgary, where I’ve had the opportunity to work on projects…

Read Story

Share your story

Every experience matters. By sharing your story, you can help others feel supported, understood, and inspired.

Share your story