There is national guidance regarding the use of steroid injections alongside the COVID vaccine and booster. This guidance has been read and interpreted alongside the evidence from the COVID vaccine trials. The current vaccines are provided in two doses, up to 12 weeks apart with a third booster dose now being provided at least 8-weeks after the second dose for frontline health and social care workers and priority groups 1-9.
Steroids can interfere with the effectiveness of a vaccine, to what extent is not fully known. Given the scale and seriousness of the COVID pandemic, a cautious approach is being adopted throughout England. Our clinicians are therefore not routinely providing an injection in the immediate two weeks before and after a vaccine dose (both first and second).
If it is felt there is a clinical need to administer within this timeframe, your clinician will discuss the need with our Director of Clinical Delivery before administering to ensure it is clinically appropriate.
If you are booked in for a steroid injection and are then called to have your vaccine booster within two-weeks of your scheduled steroid injection, our advice is to always prioritise the vaccine and to inform us so that we can reschedule your appointment.
Given this is an ever-changing topic, this guidance will be monitored, reviewed, and updated regularly. Accurate as of September 2021.
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