Last year, public health experts were deeply concerned about the possibility of a flu and a “twindemia” of COVID-19. But, as it turned out, seasonal flu activity was unusually low. It was probably due to the combination of masking, orders to stay home, reduced commuting, and people paying close attention to things like indoor ventilation.
Still no one knows what the next flu season will have, especially with states ’different approaches to masking and distancing themselves socially.
But one thing is clear: health guidelines continue to state that anyone 6 months or older should receive the annual flu vaccine. And that means millions of people will get the flu shot at the same time or at the same time they receive a booster dose of COVID (or, for some, the first coronavirus vaccine).
Is it safe? Is there anything people need to know about getting two shots at the same time or about? This is what we know.
Yes, you can get a flu shot and a COVID shot at the same time
If you can get a vaccine against COVID, you can absolutely get one at the same time as the flu vaccine is given, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
True, either you get the first or second shot of any of the mRNA vaccines (Modern and Pfizer) or the unique Johnson & Johnson vaccine. And it is very likely to remain true if and when booster shots are also fired, even though the Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved them, and booster shots are not without controversy.
“There is no reason why you can’t achieve both. They will not be countered in any way, “Karl Minges, dean of the University of New Haven School of Health Sciences, told HuffPost.” COVID vaccines use a very different mechanism to vaccinate a person than the vaccine against flu “.
In fact, Moderna recently announced that it is working to develop a joint flu vaccine and a COVID-19 booster, which combines the existing COVID vaccine with an experimental flu vaccine.
“The two-for-one approach is really appealing, especially if it’s available for people who are afraid of needles or don’t have time to go to a doctor’s office, clinic or pharmacy to get two shots.” , said Minges.
If you get both shots at the same time, side effects I could be worse
The most common side effects of the flu shot include pain or redness at the injection site, headaches, fever, nausea, muscle aches, and fatigue. These symptoms overlap greatly with the more common side effects of the COVID vaccine and the booster dose.
If you get both shots at the same time (either an initial dose of the coronavirus vaccine or a booster), they will probably be given in different arms, so you don’t have a really red, tender spot.
“Everyone’s response is a little different, but the side effects of any vaccine are possible, and it would seem logical that if you administered them both, you could experience a little more of these side effects, although that varies a lot from one person to another, ”said Aaron Clark, a family medicine physician at Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center and medical director of the Ohio State Health Organization.
People who receive both vaccines at the same time may experience a little more pain or feel more fever, Clark said. But most of the side effects of both vaccines are mild and go away in a day or two.
Clark added that the 2021-22 flu vaccine has just begun to roll out, so there is still not much national data on people receiving both shots at once. He stressed that the conclusion is that both influenza vaccine and COVID vaccines are safe and effective.
“Vaccine co-administration is a very common tactic we do,” Clark said.
You should get the flu shot in early fall
It is not possible to plan the timing of the flu shot when you can get a COVID booster yet. This is because, although the Biden administration has recommended booster doses, it has not yet been authorized by the FDA. However, they could begin to unfold in a matter of weeks to people who are eight months out of their last dose.
In general, September and October are the ideal times to get a flu shot. Experts always stress that it’s still worth taking a shot later in the fall or winter, because the flu season can peak in March and last until spring.
“I would say it’s always better to catch the flu first, regardless of the season,” Minges said. He added that a byproduct of minimal worldwide flu activity last year is that experts have less information than usual to decide which specific flu viruses will be included in this year’s vaccine. .
But this is not a reason to avoid the flu vaccine. And besides, there is no way to know to what extent this year’s flu season will be.
“The best defense against the flu and COVID-19 is vaccination, number one,” Clark said. “And safe social distance, wearing masks, washing your hands frequently, not going to school or working when you’re sick is all we can keep doing to protect ourselves.”
Experts are still learning about COVID-19. The information in this story is what was known or available from the publication, but orientations may change as scientists find out more about the virus. Consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the most up-to-date recommendations.