— Prospective trial shows reduced immune response but no worsening of underlying disease
by John Gever, Contributing Writer, MedPage Today
June 10, 2026
• 3 min read
Rheumatologic diseases and the medications given for them may disrupt immune function and thereby alter vaccine effectiveness.Systemic sclerosis (SSc) has not been well studied in this regard, so researchers in Brazil conducted a secondary analysis of a prospective trial with the recombinant herpes zoster vaccine in SSc patients and healthy controls.Serological responses were weaker in patients versus controls, as were injection-site reactions; no worsening of SSc was observed.
