Latest COVID-19 News
Guiding Principles for Scarce Resource Allocation During the COVID-19 Pandemic: IL-6 Inhibition
The ACR has released recommendations regarding the allocation of IV tocilizumab. All recommendations are based on current knowledge and will be revised as circumstances and evidence evolve.
View Tocilizumab Recommendations
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Guidance
The ACR has developed new guidance for rheumatology providers on the use of the COVID-19 vaccines for patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. All recommendations are based on current knowledge and will be revised as circumstances and evidence evolve.
Vaccine Clinical Guidance Summary - Version 4 - Updated August 19, 2021
Rheumatology Patients on Immunosuppressive Medications Qualify for Third COVID-19 Vaccine Dose - August 13, 2021
The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended that rheumatology patients being actively treated with immunosuppressive medications receive a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The approval came one day after the FDA announced it would be revising the current emergency use authorizations (EUA) for the two mRNA vaccines to permit a third dosage in certain immunocompromised patients. The new EUA is specifically for the mRNA vaccines and does not extend to recipients of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Read Third COVID-19 Vaccine Dose Press Release
ACR COVID-19 Town Hall: COVID-19 Vaccination, Immunosuppression and Rheumatic Disease - August 4, 2021
The ACR hosted a town hall, COVID-19 Vaccination, Immunosuppression and Rheumatic Disease, on August 4. The town hall focused on the COVID-19 vaccines' effectiveness in immunosuppressed and rheumatic disease patients. The discussion covered what we are learning from real-world data collection efforts and an expert panel. The ACR panel consisted of Marcus Snow, MD, Kwas Huston, MD, Alfred Kim, MD, PhD, and Jean Liew, MD, MS. We were also joined by Michael R. Anderson, MD, MBA, FAAP, FCCM, FAARC, a key leader on the COVID-19 monoclonal antibody therapeutics team who has been deployed with the federal COVID-19 monoclonal antibody administration team.
Watch COVID-19 Town Hall Recording
See All Breaking COVID-19 News
Practice and Advocacy Resources
The ACR’s COVID-19 Practice and Advocacy Task Force continues to work rapidly to provide support to you during this unprecedented time. You’ll find guidance documents that include approaches to drug shortages, support for telehealth, information about federal stimulus relief aid, and guidance for infusions. Working with experts in COVID-related topics, we are focused on developing meaningful information and resources to help guide you.
Practice and Advocacy Resources
COVID-19 Manufacturer Resources and Patient Assistance Programs
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Guidance
The ACR has developed new guidance for rheumatology providers on the use of the COVID-19 vaccine for patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). All recommendations are based on current knowledge and will be revised as circumstances and evidence evolve.
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Guidance
Clinical Guidance for Pediatric Patients
The ACR has developed two new clinical guidance documents for pediatric patients in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, including for the care of children with pediatric rheumatic disease, and for the management of inflammatory syndromes in children with recent or concurrent infections with SARS-CoV-2, specifically Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). All recommendations are based on current knowledge and will be revised as circumstances and evidence evolve.
Clinical Guidance for Pediatric Patients
Clinical Guidance for Adult Patients with Rheumatic Diseases
The ACR has developed clinical guidance for the care of adult patients with rheumatic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic. Populations considered include patients with a documented COVID-19 infection, those who are stable following exposure to SARS-CoV-2 (but without known infection), and patients who are stable with no infection or exposure. The recommendations address various treatment options and provide general guidance, as well as direction for when to start, stop, or reduce medications. All recommendations are based on current knowledge and will be revised as circumstances and evidence evolve.
Clinical Guidance for Adult Patients with Rheumatic Diseases