Can you get a tetanus shot while on methotrexate?

Answer 1

Yes, you can and you should get a flu shot every year if you are on MTX. My Rheumatologist did suggest not to get the shot the day of or first couple of days after taking your MTX dose (if you take it once a week).

You should of course discuss this with your doctor.

Answer 2

There are many factors to consider for vaccinations when you have underlying disease or disorders, and some drugs that are anti-inflammatory agents or used to treat autoimmune diseases, like infliximab (Remicade), can negatively affect the immune response needed for immunization (when doing the job it is prescribed to do), which might make the flu shot ineffective or less effective. The only way to know what is right in your case is to consult your health care professional who prescribed the Remicade before getting a vaccination.

Some people with some conditions may be told by their physicians it is OK to get some vaccinations when using Remicade, and even that it will be important for you to prevent opportunistic infections with your immune system immune responses suppressed. Sometimes it is just a matter of the timing of the immunization in relation to the timing of the periodic Remicade administration, ask your doctor for advice. Each case is different and the advice to one may conflict with the advice to another.

The following information is given by the US National Institutes of Health about vaccinations while taking Remicade:

"Do not have any vaccinations without talking to your doctor. Also tell your doctor if you have recently received a vaccine. If your child will be treated with infliximab injection, talk to his or her doctor about vaccinations that should be given before the start of treatment. If possible, your child should be given all vaccinations needed for children of his or her age before beginning treatment."