covid and flu jam with methotrexate injections

[Knitwits]

Hello

I have been taking methotrexate for about 6 months the last 2 months has been injections.

do I take my methotrexate when I am going to have my covid and flu jabs?

I am due to have my flu jab on the 24/09/22 and my covid jab on the 28/09/22 it will work out that I take my methotrexate jab on the morning of my covid jab.

Is this ok, please could you advise me.

Thank you

Marian

[MrsNails]

There’s a piece in the Covid Section on FAQ’s but No you take a two week break after you have your MTX Injection.

I’ll add the link for you

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk....

MrsN

[Rugger in reply to MrsNails]

I paused MTX for my Covid vaccination, but the Pharmacist who will give me my flu jab in 2 days' time says I don't need to pause it for that. What do you think / do?

[MrsNails in reply to Rugger]

Hi Rugger - needs checking really because there has been this debate before - l’ll have a scroll through & see if there is any rational but l think perhaps like the Covid Vaccine it would give the body more immunity…..

Will get back to you x

thelancet.com/journals/lanr...

ard.bmj.com/content/77/6/898

Seems Stopping the MTX seems the best option…..

[Rugger in reply to MrsNails]

Thank you for confirming what I said to the Pharmacist, but he said it was OK to continue with MTX. After looking at the references from you and PMRpro, I've decided to miss 2 doses! I need to give myself the best chance to develop some immunity.

I hope you and your OH are getting better - still 'working' for us from your 'sick bed' - thanks again. 🌻

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rugger]

The original study that was done about the effect of methotrexate on development of immunity was done in flu vaccine programmes

nature.com/articles/s41584-...

and see Park et al, references 4, 5 and 6 in the above link,

[Rugger in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for this. See my reply to Mrs Nails. 🌹

[piglette]

the vaccinator should check with you if you are on methotrexate in case you do not realise you should stop.

[Rugger in reply to piglette]

Yes - in this case the vaccinator will be the Pharmacist who told me that I don't have to pause the MTX! - but I'm going to miss 2 doses, having read the references that MrsNails and PMRpro have given. I was sure I should, so don't even know why I asked him! I'll take those references with me on Saturday.

I only asked him as I didn't want to bother my very busy Rheumatologist, who advised me to pause the MTX for the Covid jab.

Another case of 'self help' via this Forum! What would we do without our wonderful Ambassador and volunteers?

[piglette in reply to Rugger]

No wonder we have people going to hospital because of them taking incorrect medication. I thought pharmacists had more sense.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piglette]

As I said a day or so ago - not always!!!!

[Rugger in reply to piglette]

It's a shame, because he's my local, friendly, independant Pharmacist. I think I caught him extra busy because of the 'lost' day this week due to the bank Holiday - but I know that's no excuse.

[KASHMIRI1]

my rheumatologist said to stop methotrexate for two weeks after my vaccinations.