What vaccines are safe after Cosentyx (secukinumab)?
Cosentyx (secukinumab) is an immunosuppressive biologic that blocks IL‑17A. That means vaccine guidance focuses on avoiding live vaccines and prioritizing inactivated vaccines when possible.
In general, patients on Cosentyx are advised to:
- Avoid live vaccines (for example, some intranasal influenza vaccines and other live attenuated vaccines).
- Get non-live (inactivated or recombinant) vaccines when they are due, ideally before starting treatment or when clinically appropriate during treatment.
Which live vaccines should you not get while on Cosentyx?
Live vaccines are the main concern with IL‑17–blocking biologics. Examples commonly avoided for immunosuppressed patients include:
- Live attenuated influenza vaccine (the nasal spray version)
- MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) if it’s a live vaccine being considered
- Varicella (chickenpox) if it’s a live vaccine being considered
- Zoster live vaccine (if being considered; note there is also a non-live shingles vaccine)
Your clinician or pharmacist should verify the exact vaccine name/product, since many vaccines exist in both live and non-live forms.
Are flu, COVID-19, and shingles vaccines recommended?
For most patients on Cosentyx, recommended adult vaccines typically include non-live options such as:
- Annual flu shots (inactivated flu vaccine rather than the live nasal spray)
- COVID-19 vaccination per current guidance for immunocompromised people (using the current non-live formulations)
- Shingles vaccination using the non-live recombinant vaccine (Shingrix) rather than the older live zoster vaccine
Because recommendations can vary by country, age, prior vaccination history, and immune status, your prescriber should confirm what you need.
Should vaccines be done before starting Cosentyx?
If you are planning to start Cosentyx (or restart after a break), vaccines are usually handled proactively:
- Ideally, complete any needed live vaccines before beginning treatment.
- Non-live vaccines can generally be given when due, but timing may be planned around treatment schedules for best response.
What if you recently got a vaccine—can you still take Cosentyx?
If you receive a vaccine while on Cosentyx:
- Non-live vaccines are generally acceptable.
- Live vaccines should be avoided during treatment.
If a live vaccine was given by accident, contact the prescribing clinician to discuss next steps.
What vaccines do guidelines change based on the condition treated (psoriatic arthritis vs ankylosing spondylitis, etc.)?
The core vaccine safety principle (avoid live vaccines; use appropriate non-live vaccines) applies to Cosentyx regardless of whether it’s being used for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, or other approved indications. Age-based and risk-based vaccine schedules still apply, such as pneumococcal vaccines and routine adult immunizations.
Which other vaccines might be recommended for adults on biologics?
Depending on age and medical history, clinicians often check whether you’re up to date on vaccines like:
- Pneumococcal vaccines (especially for older adults and people with certain risk factors)
- Tdap/Td boosters
- Hepatitis B (and sometimes Hepatitis A, depending on risk)
- HPV (for eligible age ranges)
What’s the safest way to confirm your specific vaccine plan?
Because vaccine recommendations depend on your age, prior immunizations, and whether a product is live or non-live, the most reliable approach is to:
- Share your vaccine record with your rheumatologist/dermatologist and primary care clinician
- Ask the pharmacist to confirm whether each vaccine is live attenuated or non-live
If you tell me your age, what vaccines you’ve already had, and which country you’re in, I can help map the typical adult vaccine schedule that usually applies alongside Cosentyx (with the live-vaccine exclusions).