Covid Booster

[Hightower62]

I have been advised by Rheumatology to pause my MTX for two weeks following vaccination. Does anyone know whether it is ok to have the vaccination soon after taking the medication?

I have avoided booking my jab on the same day and booked for two days later but am wondering if this will affect the protection I get or if it isn’t relevant.

I guess I’m probably over thinking this even after seven previous jabs, 😂

[helenlw7]

I was told by my rheumatologist that where the RA was stable then it was ok to pause the mtx it for two weeks, but if, like mine, it wasn’t, then not to stop the mtx.

[Hightower62 in reply to helenlw7]

Thank you 😊

[MadBunny in reply to helenlw7]

Same here .

[HeadInASpin]

Thank you for posting this. I mentioned to my nurse that I’d got flu, Covid and shingles jabs booked, when I saw her on Tuesday but she didn’t give me any advice re stopping treatment. I’ve only started to feel the benefits of methotrexate in the last few weeks so I’m nervous about the prospect of suspending treatment. I’ve just left a message on the clinic advice line for clarification.

[HeadInASpin in reply to HeadInASpin]

Update…they called back and confirmed the two week hiatus as many of you have described. Thanks again for posting, as a newbie I wouldn’t have known about this.

[Hightower62 in reply to HeadInASpin]

You are very welcome, this is why this forum is such a brilliant place for information 😊

[Ascidian]

As I understand things, there is no problem having your jab so soon after your last mtx dose

[Hightower62 in reply to Ascidian]

Thank you.

[MJSlide1958]

Hi, From my daughter's experience with RA it should be fine to stop for a short time. Remember all Rheumy's have different advice. What I do know is that with a biologic like say Enbrel, you can't really keep stoping and starting because it could affect the way the meds work for you especially if you are stable on your meds. If you are ill then that's when you seek advice about stoping meds until you recover and then go back on meds. But it is always right to listen to your care team, they know your best and they see your blood monitoring results. Good luck

[Hightower62 in reply to MJSlide1958]

Thank you.

[mchokozi in reply to Hightower62]

You are very welcome.

[junik53]

when I’ve had previous vaccines I wasn’t told to stop MTX , so is the advice different for this jab seeing as it’s a different one

[mchokozi]

I was just directed to hold my immunosuppressants for 2 weeks after vaccines to allow my body to develop antibodies appropriately.

[Hightower62 in reply to mchokozi]

Thank you.

[Happy5 in reply to mchokozi]

Yup same here, do my MTX then give 2-3 days before having Covid booster then back to MTX after 2 weeks gap.

[Natasha13]

I had my 4th Covid jab a few months ago and got it a few days before my next MTX injection. I then continued with my MTX weekly and had no problems 😊

[Oneta]

I have never been advised to stop my medication, so it must depend on the advice from your doctor/specialist you are consulting with.

[Maggsie]

TBH, I've given up with the Covid vaccines for this reason. I was told to stop my meds each time and each time my RA went downhill quickly.(I also had other sideefects) I discussed this with my Rheumy and he was quite supportive of continuing my Mtx and Tcz but not having the covid boosters.