COVID-19 Vaccine Urged for Patients With Celiac Disease

The Society for the Study of Celiac Disease has released a statement encouraging patients with celiac disease to receive a COVID-19 vaccine that has met government regulatory approval.

“As the safety and efficacy data on COVID vaccination has emerged, there is no evidence to suggest that people with celiac disease would be more prone to an adverse effect of vaccination,” the statement authors wrote. “Celiac disease is not considered an allergy, and by itself does not prompt additional precaution when proceeding with vaccination.”

According to the authors—who are scientists and clinicians who care for patients with celiac disease—initially, there was concern that individuals with celiac disease might be at a slightly increased risk for severe outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 infection. This belief was due to study results that had suggested risks related to pneumonia and viral infections. However, studies since have not indicated an increased risk of severe outcomes among patients with celiac disease.

“Even though the risk among people with celiac disease is comparable to that of the general population, we have seen that COVID-19 can nevertheless have devastating effects, and we share in the consensus belief by the public health community that mass vaccination is crucial,” the statement authors wrote. 
—Colleen Murphy

Reference: 

SSCD statement on COVID-19 vaccination. News release. Society for the Study of Celiac Disease; December 15, 2020. Accessed December 16, 2020. https://www.theceliacsociety.org/sscd_news