Nearly 3% of Americans take immune-weakening drugs that may limit COVID vaccine response

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-05/mm-u-n3o051921.php

News Release 20-May-2021
Many are taking steroids that could increase risk of COVID-related hospitalization, researchers say
Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan

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A national study from researchers at Michigan Medicine found that nearly 3% of insured U.S. adults under 65 take medications that weaken their immune systems.

The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, are based on data from over 3 million patients with private insurance. They focus on patients' use of immunosuppressive drugs, including chemotherapy medications and steroids such as prednisone.

The analysis reveals nearly 90,000 people met the study criteria for drug-induced immunosuppression that may elevate risk for severe COVID-19 symptoms and hospitalization if they became infected. Two-thirds of them took an oral steroid at least once, and more than 40% of patients took steroids for more than 30 days in a year.

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