Covid vaccine and rituximab

[Galaxy2]

Hi All

Can someone tell me please what is the time frame after having a covid jab that rituximab can be given?

Many thanks

[PMRpro]

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl....

says

"A COVID-19 vaccine guidance clinical summary released by the American College of Rheumatology issued the following recommendations after a moderate consensus among the North American task force panel:

1. Initiate the vaccine series 4 weeks before next scheduled rituximab cycle.

2. After vaccination, the guidance states to delay rituximab 2 to 4 weeks after the second vaccine dose, if disease activity allows."

There may be an updated directive but generally it is taken that 2-4 weeks is enough time for the vaccine response to be completed.

[Galaxy2 in reply to PMRpro]

thank you for that , I’m due to have rituximab this month but am thinking of delaying as I haven’t had a covid jab for some time and I gather we are due a booster soon. When I’ve had it after my infusions I’ve had a very poor response

[PMRpro in reply to Galaxy2]

That is well known - you need to have the jab BEFORE the infusion and wait a few weeks before it.

[treesy]

Hi there, in the UK it is up to two weeks before your Rituximab and you have to wait 12 weeks after. This is a recent change as it was 10 weeks after.

[Investigator1]

Hi Galaxy2, yes as above our friends have got it bang on. I will add what I was told by my consultant that 4 weeks is better than 2.

[Pickzie]

I’ve had my vaccinations 4 weeks before rituximab infusions

[Frankiepoos1]

hi

I had to wait 4 weeks after my covid injection to receive rituximab, but your consultant should advise you I had my infusion in February hope all goes ok.

[trijaws]

I think it's more important to have had your rituxan infusion a couple months prior to your covid shot. If you have rituxan every six months, try to get your covid shot three months after your rituxan, right in the middle of the treatment.

[LindainFrance]

Hello, I’m afraid that I can’t help you on this. I finished my Rituximab treatment before Covid made its appearance.

Hope you find an answer quickly.

Best regards,

Linda

[Galaxy2]

Thanks so much everyone, really appreciate everyone’s replies.

I’m in a dilemma as I’ve been feeling really unwell and have pushed to get my rituximab. I haven’t had it since 2021 due to being really unwell last year with a recurring infection. I’ve been unable to work recently and don’t know if I should delay the infusions any longer. It’s so hard to decide and I’ve been trying to speak to someone in the hope that there might be a way of getting the jab now instead of waiting till later in the month but every system just seems so under strain.

Thanks again and hope everyone has a great bank holiday weekend