Is it ok to have a flu jab close to a steroid one?

This coming Tuesday, I am having a steroid injection in my knee at the hospital. They seem to be making a bit of a fuss about it this time as I have to be admitted like I am in for an operation when before I just had the injection, went home and that was it.

Anyway, my question is that on Saturday, I am booked in to have my yearly flu injection at the doctors. I am just wondering if it is alright to have the flu jab so close to the steroid one and wondered if any of you might know about it.

[Jemmel]

Dont think it is advisable so near. All I can tell you is when I have my Rituximab infusion I've been told not to have my flu jab. As for how long you wait I suggest you ask your Rheumy nurses. Xx

[NeonkittyUK in reply to Jemmel]

Yes I have been told not to have any vaccinations near to infusions. I have Rtx also. I have had a steroid injection a week after Rtx infusion in my knee but as they give you IV steroid prior to the Rtx infusion that makes sense it is allowed in the joint a week later. I think the biologics nurse/consultant will answer you that about flu/steroid jabs close together or not. Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to NeonkittyUK]

Thank you for your reply Neon. Yes, I will do some ringing round tomorrow and see if I can find out more information.

[AgedCrone in reply to Jemmel]

I’d double check that Jemmel...I’ve been on Rituximab for three years & the ruling has always been that you must have 30 clear days after a flu jab before a Rtx infusion, & wait 90 clear days after an infusion before having the flu vaccination.

I get my flu jab next week& my Rtx infusion is due on Christmas Eve!

I am hoping I can get my rheumatologist to delay it until January so that I can go away over Christmas 🎄 !

[Hidden in reply to Jemmel]

Thank you for answering my question Jemmel. I think I will be doing some ringing around tomorrow.

[AgedCrone]

I Holly willow...If I were you, I’d Telephone tomorrow & explain the situation to who ever is giving you the Flu jab & take their advice. It’s better to possibly delay it, than waste an appointment isn’t it?

It sounds as if you are having an ultra sound guided injection in your knee, for which they usually use sedation....so you’ll need to rest for a while after the procedure...but it’s more accurate than just a regular injection.

[Hidden in reply to AgedCrone]

Thank you for your advice. Yes, it is an ultrasound guided injection but I have had them before and never had sedation or had to rest after it so that was what was puzzling me. Perhaps they are doing it properly now and weren't before.

[Rav8 in reply to Hidden]

Never had sedation for ultrasound guided injections in the past.

[Haug0099]

2 weeks is the recommended wait

[Intheend]

Ihad my flu jab yesterday morning and saw my Rheumatologist in the afternoon. He wanted to give me a steroid injection in my shoulder but when I said I had my flu jab earlier he said I would have to wait for a fortnight for the steroid injection.