What is the guidance around receiving a COVID-19 vaccine and having a general anaesthetic?
Based on first principles and our experience with other vaccines, there is no expectation that an anaesthetic would affect the safety or immune response to the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
After surgery, you can have any vaccination as soon as you are recovered and well. It is preferable to avoid booking a vaccination within 48 hours of any major elective surgery in case responses to the vaccine, such as fever, cause delay in surgery or anaesthesia. Do not delay any urgent surgery after vaccination.
The general recommendation when planning vaccination with any vaccine is explained in Section 3.1.3 in the Immunisation Handbook 2020.
In certain circumstances, in situations where it is the pragmatic best option for an individual, it is safe to vaccinate in surgery while under anaesthetic.