Do Vaccines Increase Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects about 1% of adults, and its rates have steadily increased in recent decades. A newly published study examined whether vaccines might play a role in causing RA or triggering flare-ups in people who already have it.

Researchers reviewed 16 studies conducted between 2008 and 2024 involving nearly 26 million people from Europe, North America, and Asia. These studies looked at common vaccines, including those for influenza, COVID-19, HPV (human papillomavirus), hepatitis B, tetanus, anthrax, and shingles (herpes zoster), in people ranging in age from children to older adults.

The researchers found no overall link between getting vaccinated and an increased risk of developing or relapsing RA. In fact, in studies that followed people for less than one year, vaccination—especially with the HPV or COVID-19 vaccines—appeared to have a mild protective effect, possibly by strengthening the immune system in a way that temporarily prevents inflammation. This protective effect was not seen in longer-term follow-ups, suggesting that it may fade over time.

Most vaccines showed no harmful association with RA. However, one exception was the shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine, which did show a possible connection to increased RA risk. The anthrax vaccine also showed a similar trend, but the evidence was not strong enough to draw firm conclusions.

Overall, the study supports the safety of vaccines in relation to RA and even hints at possible short-term benefits. However, researchers emphasize that more high-quality studies are needed to better understand how different vaccines might affect people at risk for RA or those already diagnosed.

Citation

Pan, H., Yu, Y., Li, X. et al. Vaccination and rheumatoid arthritis: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of data from 25,949,597 participants. BMC Public Health 25, 933 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22093-9