Can you be vaccinated if you have eczema?

People with eczema may be vaccinated against COVID-19. Eczema is a chronic skin condition that affects the barrier function of the skin, but it is not a contraindication for vaccination.

Vaccinations against COVID-19, including the mRNA vaccines (such as Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) and vector vaccines (such as AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson), have been found to be safe for people with eczema. There is no increased risk of serious side effects in people with eczema, and the presence of eczema does not affect how well the vaccine works.

People with eczema, like others, may experience mild side effects after vaccination, such as redness, swelling or pain at the injection site. These are usually short-lived and go away on their own. Although rare, stress or the immune response to the vaccination can trigger a flare-up of eczema in some people. This is usually temporary and can be managed with your usual treatments.

If your eczema is being treated with immunosuppressants (such as corticosteroids or other immune-suppressing medicines), it is still safe to get vaccinated. However, it is a good idea to consult your doctor, as this medication may slightly reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine. If you have severe eczema or allergies associated with eczema (such as food allergies or asthma), it may be helpful to consult your doctor before getting vaccinated.

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8165093/

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2022-12-01 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2025