Interferons (IFNs) play a crucial role in this early phase of infections, as a consequence of their crucial role in promoting viral clearance, tissue repair and inducing adaptive immune responses.27, 31 The employment of IFN-based therapies against viral infections, such as hepatitis C virus and COVID-19, further substantiates the potent antiviral effect.32 33 Moreover, this concept is paralleled by lower disease activity but a higher risk of herpes zoster in patients with SLE with pre-existing autoantibodies neutralising IFN-α.34 The gene discussed is IFNA1; the disease is COVID-19.