Community pharmacy teams can help IBD patients to benefit from the vaccinations that they can safely receive if they are taking immunosuppressant treatment. Patients with IBD should be advised to have the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, which are inactivated (non-live) – but they may not receive the full benefit if they are on immunosuppressive treatment.

It is important to ensure that patients are advised not to have any live vaccines (e.g. certain travel vaccines) whilst on immunosuppressants. If they require live vaccines, they should be advised to speak to their IBD specialist in hospital to determine other options such as withholding immunosuppressive treatment.

Patients on immunomodulators should be advised to report any contact with chickenpox or measles to their doctor. Advice and guidance on vaccinations in immunocompromised patients can be found in the UK Green Book.