In this episode of the Lupus Foundation of America's The Expert Series podcast, Dr. Amit Saxena dives into why vaccines are such a powerful tool for people living with lupus. Since lupus and some of its treatments can weaken the immune system, getting the right vaccines can make a big difference in staying healthy and preventing serious infections. Dr. Saxena also breaks down which vaccines are most important and how lupus medications can impact their effectiveness.

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Episode Takeaways:

• Vaccines help protect people with lupus from serious infections, which can be harder for them to fight off.
• Getting the flu, COVID-19, and shingles vaccines is especially important.
• Some lupus medications might need to be paused before getting certain vaccines, so make sure to talk to your doctor first.
• While side effects can sometimes feel stronger, vaccines are generally safe and effective for people with lupus.
• Adults with lupus may also need booster shots or updated versions of vaccines they received as kids.

Related Resources:

• Ask a Lupus Health Educator: https://www.lupus.org/care-support/ask-a-health-educator
• Find Support Near You: https://www.lupus.org/resources/find-support-near-you
• Be Prepared to Fight Flu and COVID this Winter: https://www.lupus.org/blog/be-prepared-to-fight-flu-and-covid-this-winter
• Lupus and Vaccines: https://www.lupus.org/resources/lupus-and-vaccines
• National Resource Center on Lupus: https://www.lupus.org/resources
• The Expert Series: https://www.lupus.org/resources/lupus-the-expert-series