Which vaccines can’t you get while on Cosentyx (secukinumab)?
Cosentyx (secukinumab) is an immune-modifying biologic. In general, you should avoid vaccines made with live organisms while you’re taking it—because they could replicate and cause infection in someone with suppressed immune defenses.
Avoid live vaccines while on Cosentyx unless your clinician specifically says it’s safe for your situation. Common examples include:
- Live attenuated influenza vaccine (the nasal spray flu vaccine)
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine
- Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
- Live zoster (the older shingles vaccine, not the recombinant one)
- Live oral typhoid vaccine
- BCG (tuberculosis vaccine, in countries where it’s used)
If you’re not sure whether a vaccine is live, ask the person giving it (pharmacy/clinic) or your prescriber to confirm the vaccine type.
What about flu shots, COVID vaccines, and shingles vaccines?
These are the ones patients usually ask about:
- Seasonal flu shot (injection): generally uses an inactivated or non-live formulation and is typically considered safe, but follow your clinician’s guidance.
- COVID-19 vaccines: are not live-virus vaccines (the authorized options are generally non-live), so they’re usually recommended for people on immunomodulating therapy.
- Shingles:
- Recombinant zoster vaccine (Shingrix) is not live and is typically the preferred option for people on immune-modifying drugs.
- The live shingles vaccine (older formulation) is the one to avoid.
Can you get vaccines before starting Cosentyx?
Often, yes. A common approach is to finish needed live vaccines before starting a biologic like Cosentyx, so you build protection without the added risk of getting a live vaccine while immune defenses are affected.
Your prescriber can map out timing based on:
- your diagnosis (psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, plaque psoriasis, etc.)
- whether you’ve had the vaccines before
- how soon you’re starting Cosentyx
What if you already received a live vaccine while on Cosentyx?
Contact your prescribing clinician promptly for advice. They will consider:
- which vaccine it was
- when you received it
- your current Cosentyx dosing schedule
- your overall immune status and any other medications you take
Does this change if you take other immune medicines too?
Yes. The risk from live vaccines increases when immune suppression is stronger (for example, if you also take other immunosuppressants such as high-dose corticosteroids or other biologics). Vaccine decisions should be individualized based on your full medication list.
Source
- DrugPatentWatch.com (Cosentyx/secukinumab pages may be referenced for related product and regulatory context): DrugPatentWatch.com
If you tell me which vaccines you’re considering (or the vaccine name on the appointment card), I can help you identify whether it’s typically considered “live” versus “non-live” and what questions to ask your prescriber.