Does vaccine type affect cosentyx's efficacy?

Yes—the specific type of vaccine can matter, but not because Cosentyx (secukinumab) “changes” the vaccine’s inherent effectiveness so much as because it affects how well your immune system responds and which vaccines are safe to give.

1) Vaccine type vs immune response

In general:

• Inactivated (non-live) vaccines (e.g., flu shot, most COVID-19 vaccines) can usually be given, but your immune response may be somewhat reduced while on Cosentyx.
• Live-attenuated vaccines (e.g., certain nasal-spray flu vaccines, yellow fever, some others depending on country) are typically not recommended during treatment with Cosentyx because the drug suppresses parts of the immune system.

2) What this means for “efficacy”

• For non-live vaccines: the vaccine may still protect you, but the strength/duration of protection could be lower than in people not taking immunosuppressive meds.
• For live vaccines: the bigger concern is safety (risk of infection from the vaccine strain), rather than reduced efficacy alone—so they’re generally avoided.

3) Practical guidance

• Ideally, vaccinations should be updated before starting Cosentyx when possible.
• If you’ve already started Cosentyx, your clinician can advise whether a vaccine is safe to receive and whether you may need timing adjustments or additional doses (some vaccines have special schedules).

4) Quick questions so I can answer more precisely

Which vaccine are you asking about (e.g., flu, COVID booster, shingles/Shingrix or Zostavax, pneumonia, travel vaccines)? And are you on Cosentyx weekly or every 4 weeks?