The ACR has developed new clinical guidance documents for pediatric and adult patients in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Guidance for Patients with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases (RMDs)
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 Summary - Version 5 Revised - Updated August 12, 2022
American College of Rheumatology Guidance for COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases – Version 5 Published November 8, 2022
How to cite this article: Curtis JR, Johnson SR, Anthony DD, Arasaratnam RJ, Baden LR, Bass AR, et al. American College of Rheumatology Guidance for COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases – Version 5. Arthritis Rheumatol 2022 e1-e16. doi:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/art.42372
ACR on Air Podcast with lead author, Jeffrey Curtis, MD, MPH
ACR COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance Town Hall Recording
Press Release: ACR COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance Recommends Vaccination, Addresses Immunosuppressant Drugs & Patient Concerns - February 11, 2021
Press Release: ACR Releases Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Guidance Including Timing 3rd Doses with Immunomodulatory Drugs - August 23, 2021
Press Release: Fifth Update of ACR COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance Supports Fourth Doses for High-Risk Rheumatic Disease Patients - February 2, 2022
Clinical Guidance for Adult Patients with Rheumatic Diseases
Clinical guidance for the care of adult patients with rheumatic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic includes 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.
COVID-19 Clinical Guidance Summary for Adult Patients with Rheumatic Diseases - Updated February 1, 2021
American College of Rheumatology Guidance for the Management of Rheumatic Disease in Adult Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Version 3 Published December 5, 2020 How to cite this article: Mikuls TR, Johnson SR, Fraenkel L, Arasaratnam RJ, Baden LR, Bermas BL, et al. American College of Rheumatology Guidance for the Management of Rheumatic Disease in Adult Patients During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: Version 3. Arthritis Rheumatol 2021; 73; e1-e12. doi: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/art.41596.
Clinical Guidance for Pediatric Patients
The clinical guidance documents for pediatric patients in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic include the care of children with pediatric rheumatic disease, and 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.
The recommendations for pediatric rheumatology patients address various treatment options and provide general guidance, as well as direction for when to start, stop or reduce medications.
The recommendations for MIS-C focus on general guidance, diagnostic evaluation, and therapy options, as well as comparing and contrasting the features of MIS-C and Kawasaki Disease. For hyperinflammation in COVID-19, the recommendations also focus on general guidance, as well as immunomodulatory treatment.
COVID-19 Clinical Guidance Summary for Pediatric Patients with Rheumatic Disease Updated June 25, 2021
ACR Guidance for the Management of Children with Pediatric Rheumatic Disease During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: Version 2 Published June 10, 2021 How to cite this article: Wahezi DW, Lo MS, Rubinstein TB, Ringold S, Ardoin SP, Downes KJ, et al. American College of Rheumatology Guidance for the Management of Children with Pediatric Rheumatic Disease During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: Version 2. Arthritis Rheumatol 72; 2020; 1809-1819. doi: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/art.41772.
Clinical Guidance Summary for Pediatric Patients with MIS-C Associated with SARS-CoV-2 and Hyperinflammation in COVID-19 Version 3 - Updated February 3, 2022
ACR Clinical Guidance for Pediatric Patients with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS‐C) Associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 and Hyperinflammation in COVID‐19. Version 3 Published - February 3, 2022 How to cite this article: Henderson LA, Canna SW, Friedman KG, Gorelik M, Lapidus SK, Bassiri H, et al. American College of Rheumatology Clinical Guidance for Pediatric Patients with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS‐C) Associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 and Hyperinflammation in COVID‐19. Version 3. Arthritis Rheumatol 2022; 74: e1-e23. doi: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/art.42062.
ACR Guideline and Criteria App
You can also access the clinical guidance information on your iOS or Android mobile device. Download the free ACR Guideline and Criteria App on the App Store or Google Play.