Warfarin and Flu jab

Everyday living
1

Hi Folks,

After reading the thread on having the Flu jab I was wondering if any of you also take warfarin. I take it and my nurse (not ms nurse) said that my INR must be lower than 3. Now my level should be between 3 - 4 at present 3.5 so according to her I can’t have it. I always have had it as I know what can happen. So my question is have any of you had the flu jab on warfarin with an INR higher than 3? Would appreciate any replies. Many thanks.

Janet

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2

Hi Janet, i used to have the Flu jab until 2007 on Warfarin. Nobody ever asked what my INR was, it used to

around 3 when i did have it though but never checked. No longer aloud as they are not sure if it caused my

vertigo the next day and double vision for the month after.

Sonia x

3

Hi Sonia, Thanks for replying, by what you have said it does sound as though the nurse is correct. I really do want to have the flu jab but can’t risk going low with the Warfarin as I have blood clots on my brain and have APS.

Many thanks again.

Janet

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4

Hi - don’t know about any problem with taking warfarin and having the flu jab. I thought that the aim was to be between 2.0 and 3.0 when tested.

5

Sorry Anon, What exactly do you mean by being tested, for what? Sorry I don’t understand what you mean as everyone has different levels for different reasons.

Janet

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6

Following my earlier post. I’m on warfarin and every so often I go to the anti-coagulant clinic for a blood test. If the result is between 2.0 and 3.0 everyone’s happy. if it’s above 3.0 they get concerned and I have to stop taking the warfarin for one day. It hadn’t occurred to me that different people may have different levels.

As for the flu jab – wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole!

7

Thanks for your reply anon, if my INR is between 2 and 3 then I’m at risk of stroke, TIA and so on. 3.5 is my ideal level.

Can I please ask why you wouldn’t have the flu jab, don’t answer if you don’t want to I’ll understand? Thank you for your imput.

Janet

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8

Thanks Janet

My not having the flu jab has nothing to do with my being on warfarin. It’s probaly completely irrational but I’m a bit wary of the side effects.

9

Hubby on warfarin and has had the flu jab. Not sure what is INR is though.

C x

10

Thanks Anon and Candy for your replies much appreciated.

Anon, when I’ve had the flu jab the only side effect I’ve had is a sore arm for a couple of days.

Janet

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11

Hi everyone, I have just ran a flu clinic this weekend with over 500 people in one day. Many of them were on warfarin, this is perfectly ok to have the flu jab. Depending on the reason why people are on warfarin, i.e. DVT or stroke, then their target levels will be different. INR stands for international normalised ratio, which is the test for measuring the thickness of the blood.

The flu jab contains no live virus, therefore cannot give anyone flu. But it does take up to two weeks to build up immunity in the body so therefore if you are exposed to the flu virus shortly before you are vaccinated, you would probably still get the flu. Anyone in one of the ‘at risk’ groups should get the vaccine. Flu can make people extremely ill and lead to pneumonia and even death in certain cases. It takes a few seconds to have it done and normally, apart from a slightly sore arm, no side effects.

So, please, if you’re offered it, have it!!

Lynne