Nearly one in six patients with rheumatic diseases who received a COVID-19 vaccine experienced disease flares after getting their immunisations, a US study finds.

A survey of more than 1100 patients in New York who had received at least one vaccine dose revealed that 15% experienced flares.

Among the 654 who had received both doses of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, 113 (17%) flared, with 26 (23%) flaring only after the first dose, 48 (42%) flaring only after the second dose, and 37 (33%) flaring after both doses, according to the letter in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases.

Researchers, led by Dr Medha Barbhaiya of the division of rheumatology at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, said the findings were “reassuring” and would help provide guidance for doctors and patients.