Vaccine and antibiotics

[Cornishbelle]

Hi just wondering if anyone is aware if taking antibiotics for a uti means delaying vaccination? Mil says she has been told she needs to wait for them to be out of system but doesn't know for how long or why? She has history of health anxiety and so wondering if she is putting off vaccination I can't seem to find any info about this thanks

I had to delay my flu jab this year because I was on antibiotics. I was fine to have it once the course was finished.

I don't know for certain about the covid jab but it seems likely it would be the same.

Antibiotics are for a bacterial infection, this is a vaccine for a virus, there is no need to delay her vaccination in terms of whether it reduces it's efficacy, but it may have been suggested, quite reasonably, if she is feeling ill from her UTI and then having potential side effects from the vaccine which might exacerbate her feeling unwell and for longer. Not unreasonable to delay until she's feeling better, but if she feels fine, she can definitely go ahead and get the vaccine while she's on the antibiotics.

It might be, are you on antibiotics or do you suspect that MIL avoids vaccination?

My GP said you should be well when you have the vaccine. Any vaccine. If your immune system is already under stress and fighting an illness, the response to the vaccine may not be as good.

My DH was told by his GP to wait until he had finished his course of antibiotics before having his vaccination.

I had my vaccine whilst I was on co-amoxiclav for a UTI. No issues

Two completely different biological mechanisms involved. Antibiotics have nothing to do with your adaptive immune system - they are chemicals that directly attack the bacteria. The vaccine prompts your immune system to create antibodies.

A golden rule in medicine is if you don't know, don't mix medicines - GP's who advocate waiting for a course of antibiotics to end may be thinking of this. It's highly unlikely to have ANY effect whatsoever, but since courses are usually only about 10 days long, the delay in vaccination is insignificant anyway.

Thanks all. Yes I understand it's bacterial vs viral this is why I was confused but I guess if your immune system is suppressed due to the illness it makes sense to wait. Mil seems to be under impression she needs to leave around 2 weeks after completing the course before booking her appointment but I think possibly she is just anxious about it and so is putting it off I believe she finishes the course today so will encourage her to booked in if she is well

Yes the two weeks is nonsense. Nearly all antibiotics will be present at only trace (undetectable) levels 24h after last administration.

Sounds like anxiety - perhaps reassure by pointing out to her that with 20 million already innoculated, if there had been any issues the press would have been all over by it now.

Does anyone know if I'm ok to start an antibiotic course today if I had my first covid jab just 3 days ago? (Sat)

@Su52

Does anyone know if I'm ok to start an antibiotic course today if I had my first covid jab just 3 days ago? (Sat)

I had to do the same and it was fine!

@Su52

Does anyone know if I'm ok to start an antibiotic course today if I had my first covid jab just 3 days ago? (Sat)

Yes absolutely do.

The vaccine is long gone from your system

So sorry but I can't see some replies properly (?)
Anyway, I've gone ahead and started them. Thankyou

I had the vaccine on Monday and the GP prescribed antivirals for coldsores on Tuesday. They said the only potential problem was other vaccinations, but obviously the need to treat a condition once there is different to whether to wait while you are unwell.