Medical experts are recommending for patients prescribed anticoagulants to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Many of these patients have underlying health conditions putting them at increased risk for serious illness if infected with COVID-19. There are no known pharmacological interactions between components of the vaccine and oral or parenteral anticoagulants. There is a risk of light bleeding, bruising, or hematoma at the injection site but the vaccine is not associated with a serious risk of bleeding. For patients taking warfarin, there is guidance to suggest that the INR should be below 4.0 or below the upper threshold of a person’s therapeutic range prior to receiving the COVID-19 vaccine to reduce risk of bleeding complications.
Patients receiving the COVID-19 vaccine should make the vaccinator aware they are taking an anticoagulant. Anticoagulated patients should be vaccinated with a fine-gauge needle (23-gauge or smaller caliber) followed by firm pressure on the injection site for 2-5 minutes.