The Efficacy and Safety of Influenza Vaccine in Pemphigus in the Covid-19 Era: A Randomized Trial Publisher



Hadi M ; Vafaeian A ; Daneshpazhooh M ; Tavakolpour S ; Soori T ; Farid AS ; Farimani Z ; Mahmoudi H
Source: Archives of Dermatological Research Published:2026

Abstract

There is currently insufficient evidence regarding the safety and effectiveness of influenza vaccination in B-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases such as pemphigus. This study aims to assess the effects of the influenza vaccine on patients with pemphigus. Sixty patients were randomly divided into vaccination and control groups. Patients were followed for 12 months while flu symptoms (including fever, cough, and rhinitis), flu PCR results, Anti-desmoglein 1, 3 antibodies, and Pemphigus Disease Area Index scores were evaluated at baseline and 6-month intervals. We observed no significant difference in the cumulative and daily doses of prednisolone between the two groups (Ps = 0.12, 0.47, respectively). Similarly, the incidence of flu cases in the vaccinated group (13.79%) did not differ significantly from that in the control group (19.05%, P = 0.71). The recurrence rate of pemphigus was also statistically similar between vaccinated (62.07%) and unvaccinated patients (52.38%, P = 0.69). The findings of this study do not support a significant association between vaccination and relapse and could help mitigate concerns about influenza vaccination triggering pemphigus recurrence. Trial registration: The study was registered in the IranianRegistry of Clinical Trials (IRCT registration number:IRCT20191022045185N1) (https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/trial/43194). © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2026.