Co-administration with other vaccines

Immunisation Against Infectious Disease (the Green Book)  suggests that where patients have recently received one or more inactivated or live vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccination should still be given.

The same applies for other live and inactivated vaccines where COVID-19 vaccination has been received first or where a patient presents requiring two or more vaccines.

Practical considerations

It is generally better for vaccination to proceed to avoid any further delay in protection and to avoid the risk of the patient not returning for a later appointment.

COVID-19 vaccination programme advises where more than one vaccine is given at the same time, they should preferably be given in different limbs. Where this is not possible, they should be given at least 2.5cm apart and the site at which each vaccine was given should be clearly documented in the patient’s records. Patients should be informed about the likely timing of potential adverse events relating to each vaccine.

If the vaccines are not given together, they can be administered at any interval, although separating the vaccines by 1 or 2 days will avoid confusion over adverse effects.

The manufacturer’s information for all COVID-19 vaccines state they should not be mixed in the same syringe as other products.

COVID-19 vaccines and other medication

See Using COVID-19 vaccines in patients with anticoagulation and bleeding disorders for use in individuals receiving anticoagulant therapy.

Update history