A Study of the Effects of RoActemra/Actemra on Vaccination in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis on Background Methotrexate (VISARA)

Inclusion Criteria: * Adult patients, ≥ 18 to \< 65 years of age * Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) of \> 6 months duration at baseline (American College of Rheumatology criteria) * Willing to receive immunization with pneumococcal polysaccharide and tetanus toxoid adsorbed vaccines * Previous immunization with pneumococcal polysaccharide must have occurred ≥ 3 years of baseline, with tetanus containing vaccine ≥ 5 years * Methotrexate therapy for at least 8 weeks prior to baseline at stable dose of 7.5-25 mg/week (oral or parenteral) * Other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) must be withdrawn before baseline * Oral corticosteroids must be at stable dose of \< 10 mg/day prednisone or equivalent * Body weight ≤ 150 kg at screening Exclusion Criteria: * Major surgery (including joint surgery) within 12 weeks prior to baseline or planned major surgery within 8 weeks after baseline * History of or current inflammatory joint disease or rheumatic autoimmune disease other than RA * Pre-existing central nervous system demyelinating or seizure disorders * Active current or history of recurrent bacterial, viral fungal, mycobacterial and other infections * Any major episode of infection requiring hospitalization or treatment with intravenous antibiotics within 4 weeks prior to baseline or oral antibiotics within 2 weeks prior to baseline * Active tuberculosis requiring treatment within 3 years prior to baseline * Primary or secondary immunodeficiency (history or currently active) * Intra-articular or parenteral corticosteroids within 4 weeks prior to baseline * Previous treatment with RoActemra/Actemra