Being on blood thinners or immunosuppressants doesn't mean you can't be vaccinated, but each situation has its own considerations — check with your doctor before the jab in both cases.
Blood thinners (anticoagulants)
People on anticoagulants or with a bleeding problem can usually still be vaccinated, and generally without stopping the medication for the jab (stopping it on your own can be more dangerous). To reduce bleeding or bruising:
- a finer needle is used;
- after an intramuscular injection, firm pressure is applied to the site for at least 5 minutes;
- keep an eye on the site afterwards for noticeable swelling or bruising.
Discuss the specifics with your doctor.
Immunosuppressants / weaker immunity
People on immunosuppressants (for example for some autoimmune diseases, organ transplant, or chemotherapy drugs) or with weaker immunity need particular care:
- live (live attenuated) vaccines are generally not suitable — for example the nasal-spray (live attenuated) flu vaccine — because they may pose a risk to people with low immunity;
- inactivated vaccines can usually be given and are safe, though the immune response may be weaker, so protection may not be as strong as in others;
- timing matters — vaccination may need to fit a particular stage of a treatment course, and this should be decided by your treating doctor (such as your specialist).
The key point
With both blood thinners and immunosuppressants, don't stop your medication or decide the arrangements on your own. Before the jab, tell your doctor all the medications you take and your condition, and let them choose the right vaccine, timing and method. People with weaker immunity often need the protection of certain vaccines more, so it's all the more worth arranging properly under a doctor's guidance.