Immunizations & Infusion Therapy: Why Vaccination Planning Matters
For patients receiving biologic therapies at Sage Infusion, immunization status isn’t just a side note—it’s a critical part of care planning. Understanding how vaccines interact with these medications can help protect patients from serious infections while ensuring their treatments remain safe and effective.
Live Vaccines: A Red Flag for Biologics
Biologic medications, while powerful tools in managing chronic conditions, can suppress or modulate the immune system. This means that receiving a live vaccine—which contains a weakened but still active form of a virus or bacteria—can pose serious risks.
Live vaccines include:
MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
Varicella (Chickenpox)
Intranasal influenza
Yellow fever
Rotavirus
For patients on medications like infliximab, rituximab, or tocilizumab, live vaccines are typically contraindicated. Our clinical team at Sage Infusion closely monitors these interactions to ensure safety and clarity for both patients and providers.
Ultomiris & Soliris: Meningococcal Protection Required
Some therapies require proactive immunization before treatment begins. Both Ultomiris (ravulizumab) and Soliris (eculizumab) carry an increased risk of meningococcal infection, a rare but potentially life-threatening illness. To mitigate that risk, patients must receive a meningococcal vaccine at least two weeks prior to their first infusion, unless they’re undergoing treatment for a life-threatening condition that necessitates faster initiation.
Important reminders:
If a patient was recently vaccinated, it’s essential to check whether it was a live vaccine.
Vaccine records should be part of intake assessments and updated annually.
Collaborate with referring providers to coordinate immunization schedules before infusion therapy begins.
Building Awareness, Building Safety
At Sage Infusion, many of the medications we administer are biologics—powerful tools for immune-related conditions like RA, MS, or Crohn’s disease. With these treatments comes the responsibility to educate patients and staff about vaccination timing, safety, and requirements.
Whether it’s reviewing vaccine schedules during onboarding or posting tip sheets in clinic spaces, every conversation reinforces our commitment to proactive, patient-centered care.
Sage Infusion Can Help
Sage Infusion provides expert patient-centered infusion care in a contemporary boutique environment. We offer infusion treatments to patients and will coordinate care with the referring physician, including insurance authorization and patient progress updates. Our flexible scheduling meets our patient’s needs with extended hours. Day, night, and weekend appointments are available.
Our Nurse Practitioners follow the National Infusion Center Association guidelines and our proprietary clinical protocols. Sage Infusion offers a variety of comforting amenities, and patients can choose to receive treatment in the open lounge or a private room. From a quick start to upfront pricing and financial assistance to compassionate care by our clinical experts in a serene environment, you will experience infusion therapy like never before. Sage Infusion offers the best infusion and administration facilities in the Sunshine State with eleven locations—Brandon, Clearwater, Lakeland, St. Pete, Fort Myers, Orlando, Sarasota, Tampa, The Villages Brownwood, The Villages Lake Sumter, Ocala, and The Villages Spanish Springs.
