Why facial fillers need to be spaced out between flu, COVID and other vaccinations

It’s flu season, and there is a surge of several viruses this year. Cases of RSV, COVID, norovirus and the flu are all up and many are getting vaccinated for the flu, COVID and RSV. If you plan to get vaccinated and are wanting dermal fillers during this time, it is important to space them out properly to avoid a possible immune response.

How dermal fillers can interact with vaccines

While dermal fillers are generally safe, it is important to know that they can trigger an immune response if administered too closely to a vaccination. This occurs because vaccines work by temporarily activating the immune system.

In some cases, your body may recognize the hyaluronic acid in fillers as a foreign substance that also requires an immune response, leading to swelling, nodules or other inflammatory reactions.

How to space fillers and vaccines out

My advice to reduce the likelihood of an immune reaction is to wait at least two weeks after vaccinations to get fillers. This allows your immune system enough time to stabilize after responding to the vaccine.

If you’ve already had fillers and want to get a vaccine, wait at least two weeks before vaccination. This will also work to help minimize any risk of inflammation or unwanted reactions to hyaluronic acid injections.

Bottom line

As flu season continues and more people are getting vaccinations, it’s important to remember to plan your dermal filler treatments accordingly. By waiting at least two weeks between these procedures, you can safely reap the benefits of both without unnecessary complications.

I’m still on sabbatical and no longer run Baumann Cosmetic Institute, so please follow @SkinTypeSolutions on social media, or visit LeslieBaumannMD.com if you have questions.

This story was originally published March 20, 2025 at 12:00 AM.