Can I have an injection while taking blood thinners?
If your anticoagulant treatment is stable and a clinician considers the bleeding risk acceptable, you can usually receive an intramuscular vaccine. Tell the clinic which medicine and dose you take, whether you have a bleeding disorder, and whether you have noticed unusual bleeding or bruising. If you take warfarin, bring your latest INR blood-test result so the clinician can check its anticoagulant effect.
Keep taking your medicine as prescribed unless the doctor who manages it gives you different instructions. Do not stop, skip or change a dose yourself to have a vaccine. [3] [5]
How can bleeding or bruising be reduced?
Staff may use a fine needle and apply firm pressure after an intramuscular injection. They will tell you how long to press; avoid rubbing the site. Contact the clinic if you notice marked swelling, pain or bruising afterwards.
For COVID-19 vaccination, CHP specifically advises people taking oral anticoagulants to continue their medicine and apply direct pressure at the injection site for at least 5 minutes. Ask the clinic what aftercare to follow for any other vaccine. [3] [5] [7]
Which vaccines can I receive on immunosuppressants?
The vaccine choice depends on your medicine and dose, your condition, and how much your immune system is affected. Some treatments for autoimmune disease, organ transplantation or cancer suppress immunity.
Live vaccines are generally unsuitable for people with significant immunosuppression; any exception needs specialist advice. CHP specifically advises that people who are immunocompromised should not receive the live nasal flu vaccine.
Non-live vaccines, including inactivated and recombinant vaccines, can often still be considered. The immune response may be weaker, so your doctor will check your treatment and immune status before deciding when to vaccinate. [1] [4]
Should vaccination be arranged around my treatment?
If you are about to start immunosuppressive treatment, ask your treating doctor about vaccination as early as you can. They can arrange it before treatment, or choose a suitable point during or after the course. Do not delay treatment or change your medicines yourself.
Some conditions make vaccine-preventable infections more serious, so it is still worth discussing which vaccines you can receive. Your treating doctor can review which ones are needed and when to give them. [1] [4]
What should I bring to the appointment?
- Your current medicine list and doses, including injections, infusions and steroids, with any planned treatment dates.
- Your vaccination record, relevant blood-test results and details of any serious reaction to a previous vaccine.
- Any instructions from the doctor who manages your anticoagulant or immunosuppressive treatment. [3] [4] [5]
Before the appointment, ask: “Which vaccine can I receive, when should I receive it, and what should I do about my usual medicines on that day?” [3] [4] [5]