Colds and covid jabs

[Cutes]

I have recently come down with a cold. It isnt too bad but I am coughing quite a bit. My covid jab is due this Thursday 3rd and my flu jab a week later. I am wondering if I should change the covid date (I dont want to have the flue and Covid jabs done on the same day). As the cold symptoms began last Thursday evening, I also decided to skip my last Friday weekly dose of methotrexate and last night's 2 weekly Sunday Imraldi injection. However when I have the above vaccines, I do tend to skip one dose of both the methotrexate and the Imraldi. I am now thinking maybe it would be best to delay the covid jab; take my methotrexate in a couple of days or so, if the cold seems to be clearing up and do the Imraldi jab next weekend. All being well, I can then have the flu jab next week, as originally planned. I would be interested to see what others have done when coming down with a cold or whatever just before an imminent vaccine; also what you tend to do re your usual methotrexate and, if applicable, Anti TNF meds. Just to note I have done 3 covid tests over the last few days, mainly because I was attending a bit family wedding at the weekend, and they were all negative.

[Neonkittie17]

Hi Cutes, I’ve no cold, but I’ve decided to have my flu and Covid boosters separate as my practice nurse said it was a lot for my arms both at once, as they get affected with the RA and osteo arthritis after vaccines in the upper right arm. I too pause my biologic and Mtx before the boosters as it is said to work more effectively if you pause a week before and after vaccines, and is what the rheumy and immunologist advised, but it also depends on if you flare badly with a meds pause, so very individual.

I haven’t had a great flu vaccine result for the last 3 years due to prior Rtx and it taking years to leave my immune in a better place, and my rheumy asked me to have functional antibodies tests to check if the flu and pneumonia vaccines worked. Pneumonia worked fine but flu been “sub optimal” and quite low but I’m told to still get it.

I’d ring and ask to speak to one of the practice nurses at your GP and say you’re recovering from a cold and you’ve tested 3 times and not Covid, so should you still have your booster? Hope you can do this and go ahead with your Covid booster. 🩷 NK

[Runrig01]

I’ve always been told as long as I don’t have a temperature, it’s fine to go ahead. My last covid vaccine I was on antibiotics for sinusitis. I always omit 2 weeks MTX but continue my biologic as it only targets a specific enzyme rather than impacting the whole immune system

[StateOfPlay]

I am in a similar situation. I am due my Covid and annual flu booster this Friday, but I have come down with a cold. I am wondering if I should just dose up on Beechams and go ahead on Friday. I am interested in any replies you get

[Neonkittie17 in reply to StateOfPlay]

Could you phone the GP practice nurse if it’s them who are doing it and clarify? Hope you can go ahead.

[StateOfPlay in reply to Neonkittie17]

It's at a local chemist. I could leave a message with the Rheumatology team but they take about 3 days to get back to anyone. The NHS email says if I feel very unwell or have a temperature not to attend. I think I will delay it until next week, it's not urgent.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to StateOfPlay]

You know yourself how you feel and as you say, you can go next week. Hope you’re soon feeling back on track.

[Cutes]

Thanks for all your replies. I did try ringing both my GP surgery and the Hospital's Rheumy help line, but didnt really get very far. The former always say contact Rheumatology direct, as they dont seem to know much re Anti TNF and methotrexate etc and the latter don't ever respond immediately (I have since been sent a tel appointment via our local hospital online system, 'My Chart' and that is for next monday - a bit late I am thinking...) Anyway, as I am still coughing all the time, I have cancelled tomorrow's Covid one and plan to at least do the Imraldi injection next Sunday and if well by then, go ahead and have my scheduled flu one on the 10th. I will aim to re-book the covid one once I am sure the cold is on the way out However, I think it would be great if our Hospital Rheumatology depts could issue some info guideline leaflets regarding these sort of queries; it would surely save them lots of time having to deal with repeated enquiries about the same thing!

[StateOfPlay in reply to Cutes]

I have received a reminder email from the NHS and it says the following:

What to do if you have had COVID-19 or flu:

If you have COVID-19 or flu, wait until you feel better before getting vaccinated.

You should also wait if you have a high temperature or feel very unwell with any illness. If you have recently got better from COVID-19, there is no need to delay getting vaccinated.

I am going to see how I feel tomorrow and if not great, I will rebook. The other thing is, I don't want to make the person giving the jabs unwell either

[Cutes in reply to StateOfPlay]

Thanks - yes that sounds sensible. As you say the people giving the jabs are indeed very vulnerable too, given how many people are passing through their hands, many of whom do not wear masks.