Can you get the live flu vaccine (nasal spray) if you’re taking Cosentyx?
Cosentyx (secukinumab) blocks interleukin-17A (IL-17A). Because it suppresses parts of the immune response, patients taking Cosentyx are generally advised to avoid live vaccines (the nasal spray flu vaccine is a live vaccine). Live vaccines can pose a risk of causing infection in people whose immune system is affected by immunosuppressive therapies.
What flu shot should you get instead of the live vaccine?
For people on Cosentyx, the non-live (inactivated) flu vaccine is typically the appropriate choice. If you are deciding what to receive, confirm with your clinician or pharmacist that the product is the inactivated flu shot (not the nasal spray).
Is there any situation where a live vaccine could be considered?
Live vaccines may be considered only in specific situations and usually with clinician guidance, based on the dose, timing, and overall infection risk. If you’re thinking about a live vaccine, talk with your prescriber first rather than making the decision yourself.
What should you ask your doctor before getting vaccinated?
Ask whether you should receive:
- The inactivated (shot) flu vaccine versus the live (nasal) vaccine
- Whether any timing changes are needed around Cosentyx dosing
- Whether you have any additional risk factors (prior infections, other immunosuppressing medicines, or recent infections)
What risks are people trying to avoid with a live flu vaccine?
The concern with live vaccines is that the vaccine contains a weakened form of the virus that can replicate. If the immune system cannot control replication, that could lead to illness instead of protection. This is the main reason live vaccines are treated differently from inactivated vaccines for patients on immunomodulating drugs like Cosentyx.