Yes You Can Get A Flu Shot And A Covid Vaccine At The Same Time
If youre eligible for a COVID vaccine, you can absolutely get one at the same time that you get the flu vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Thats true whether youre getting your first or second shot of either of the mRNA vaccines , or the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. And its very likely to hold true if and when booster shots roll out as well although the Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved them, and booster shots are not without controversy.
Theres no reason you cannot get both at once. They are not going to counteract each other in any way, Karl Minges, dean of the School of Health Sciences at the University of New Haven, told HuffPost. COVID vaccines are using a very different mechanism to vaccinate an individual than the influenza shot.
In fact, Moderna recently announced it is working to develop a joint flu shot and COVID-19 booster, combining its existing COVID vaccine with an experimental flu vaccine.
The two-for-one approach is really appealing, especially if that becomes available to people who are scared of needles or dont have the time to go to a doctors office or clinic or pharmacy to get two shots, Minges said.
What Is The Recommended Site For Injection When Giving Multiple Vaccines In The Same Visit
The preferred injection site for adults and children 12 months of age is the deltoid. For infants < 12 months of age the recommended injection site is the middle third of the vastus lateralis . More than 1 vaccine can be given into each site for injection ensuring a 2.5cm spacing between each vaccine. In some circumstances in children 12 months of age, the anterolateral aspect of the thigh may also be considered as an alternate site if required. For more information please refer to MVEC: Administration of injected vaccines-correct technique.
Flu Vaccine And Allergic Reactions
If you had an anaphylactic reaction to a previous flu vaccine, you may not be able to get the flu vaccine. The healthcare worker giving the flu vaccines will be able to tell you if this is the case.
If you have any other allergies, for example, egg or latex there may be only certain types of flu vaccines that you can get and you should discuss any allergies that you have with your GP or nurse administering the flu vaccine.
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Can I Get The Flu Vaccine If I Have An Egg Allergy
The influenza vaccine is typically grown in eggs. But the traces of egg protein that remain after the vaccine is made are so tiny that the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy says both adults and children with egg allergy can be safely vaccinated against the flu. The risk of anaphylaxis after vaccination is very low, estimated at 1.35 cases per 1 million doses.
It is rare for people with egg allergy to experience other side effects, such as hives, wheezing, vomiting or abdominal pain, after getting the flu shot. If you are concerned, ask your doctor if you, or your child, can be observed by staff for 30 minutes after receiving the vaccine .
How Does The Flu Shot Work With The Administration Of The Covid
Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization has recommended that the COVID-19 vaccine be given on the same day, or even just days before or after, other routine vaccines, including the flu shot, to “help facilitate the rollout of the 2021 influenza vaccine program.”
“Vaccines administered during the same visit should be administered at different injection sites,”the NACI guidance reads.
“As with other vaccines, when possible, administration on the same day is preferred to vaccines being given within a few days of each other.”
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Why Are The Strains Included In The Egg
The method of manufacture differs for egg-based influenza vaccines and cell-based influenza vaccines. This can impact the ability to produce the same strains of virus for both platforms. In cases where it is not possible to produce the same strains, strains with similar properties are selected.
The recommendation for which strains should be included in influenza vaccines is made by the World Health Organizations Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System based on epidemiological data, genetic characteristics of the virus, antiviral resistance, vaccine effectiveness and the availability of candidate vaccine viruses.
The Flu Shot Is Your Best Defence
This years flu season is taking place at the same time as COVID-19. Dont take any unnecessary risks with your health. Get the flu shot as early in the season as possible.
The flu shot is recommended for everyone 6 months old and older. It is:
- safe
- free
- available from your doctor or nurse practitioner, and at participating pharmacies and local public health units across the province
- proven to reduce the number of doctor visits, hospitalizations and deaths related to the flu
- different each year because the virus changes frequently so you need to get it every fall
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Sometimes I Get The Flu Despite Having Had The Flu Shot Why Should I Bother
Flu vaccination prevents illness in up to 6 in 10 healthy adults under the age of 65. Because the vaccine is not effective in absolutely every case, some people may still catch the virus after having the flu shot. But the risk of illness is still reduced.
Although most people who get the flu recover without lasting effects, the flu can be very serious in some people and may require hospitalisation. In some cases, it can even be fatal. Its not possible to predict who will be severely affected.
Vaccination against the flu both reduces your chances of getting it and the severity of the symptoms if you do. So its still important to have the shot.
Does A Flu Vaccine Increase Your Risk Of Getting Covid
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There is no evidence that getting a flu vaccine increases your risk of getting sick from a coronavirus, like the one that causes COVID-19.
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You may have heard about a study published in January 2020 that reported an association between flu vaccination and risk of four commonly circulating seasonal coronaviruses, but not the one that causes COVID-19. This report was later found to be incorrect.
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The results from that initial study led researchers in Canada to look at their data to see if they could find similar results in their population. The results from Canadas study showed that flu vaccination did not increase risk for these seasonal coronaviruses. The Canadian findings highlighted the protective benefits of flu vaccination.
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The Canadian researchers also identified a flaw in the methods of the first study, noting that it violated the part of study design that compares vaccination rates among patients with and without flu . This flaw led to the incorrect association between flu vaccination and seasonal coronavirus risk. When these researchers reexamined data from the first study using correct methods, they found that flu vaccination did not increase risk for infection with other respiratory viruses, including seasonal coronaviruses.
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Is It Safe To Receive The Influenza Vaccine Whilst Breastfeeding
Annual influenza immunisation is safe and recommended for breastfeeding mothers. Babies less than 6 months of age are at greatest risk from disease yet cannot receive influenza vaccines until they are 6 months of age. Maternal immunisation will provide protection for mothers as well as providing some passive protection for babies through the secretion of antibodies until they are old enough to receive their own influenza vaccine.
People At High Risk Of Complications From The Flu
- people with health conditions, such as:
- cancer and other immune compromising conditions
- diabetes
- kidney disease
- neurological or neurodevelopmental conditions
- children up to 18 years of age undergoing treatment for long periods with acetylsalicylic acid
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Types Of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine
Two types of influenza vaccine are widely available: inactivated influenza vaccines and live attenuated influenza vaccines . Traditionally, influenza vaccines have been produced to protect against 3 different seasonal influenza viruses . In most countries this is still the case and the current trivalent vaccines contain influenza A, pandemic A and 1 of 2 influenza B lineage viruses. However, recently vaccines which protect against 4 different viruses, including both influenza B lineage viruses , have become available in some countries.
Regardless of the type or composition of seasonal influenza vaccine, vaccination should be administered annually to provide optimal protection against infection.
Administering Flu Vaccine During The Covid
Curbside and drive-through vaccination clinics may provide the best option for staff and patient safety during the COVID-19 pandemic in communities with high transmission. Read CDCs guidance on drive-through vaccination clinics.
No. Flu vaccination should be deferred for people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, whether or not they have symptoms, until they have met the criteria to discontinue their isolation. While mild illness is not a contraindication to flu vaccination, vaccination visits for these people should be postponed to avoid exposing healthcare personnel and other patients to the virus that causes COVID-19. When scheduling or confirming appointments for flu vaccination, patients should be instructed to notify the health care professionals office or clinic in advance if they currently have or develop any symptoms of COVID-19.
Flu vaccination should be deferred until a patient is no longer acutely ill. This may be different for patients who are already being cared for in a medical setting than it is for patients who are isolating at home. In a medical setting, the timing for vaccination is a matter of clinical discretion. In general, patients who are isolating at home should wait until they meet criteria for leaving isolation to come to a vaccination setting in order to avoid spreading COVID-19 to others. CDC has guidance for when people can be around others after having COVID-19.
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How Do I Know That Influenza Immunisation Is Safe In Children
Surveillance of influenza vaccine safety continues to occur via AusVaxSafety which monitors post influenza immunisation outcomes. In children 6 months to < 5 years of age, it has been found that children in this age group experience only low rates of fevers and medical attendance post influenza immunisation. SAEFVIC would be happy to discuss any vaccine safety queries and online reporting of AEFI via the website is encouraged .
Annual Selection Of Viruses
The composition of influenza vaccines are updated annually by WHO based on information gathered from the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System , a partnership of 141 national influenza centres in 111 countries, 6 WHO collaborating centres and 4 WHO essential regulatory laboratories.
The WHO GISRS collects and analyses influenza virus samples from around the world on an ongoing basis. Each year, 1 or more components of the vaccine designated for the coming influenza season in the northern and/or southern hemisphere might be changed to reflect the most frequent and recent circulating influenza A and B viruses.
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Managing Side Effects After Immunisation
Common side effects following immunisation are usually mild and temporary . Specific treatment is not usually required. There are several treatment options that can reduce the side effects of the vaccine including:
- Drinking extra fluids and not overdressing if there is a fever.
- Although routine use of paracetamol after vaccination is not recommended, if pain and fever are present, paracetamol can be given check the label for the correct dose or speak with your pharmacist .
Will We Ever Have A 2
Pairing flu shots with the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, a second dose of an mRNA vaccine, or a booster, will make vaccination appointments one and done for many people.
In the future, the process could be even more streamlined. As soon as next year, you might be able to get the flu and COVID-19 shots as a single jaban advancement that will hopefully improve the uptake of both vaccines.
At least one company, Novavax, is working on a combination vaccine. In June, that the vaccine being tested may be a viable immunization strategy. While those results were promising, the study has yet to be peer-reviewed.
These results demonstrate the promising opportunity for vaccination, which may improve the uptake of both vaccines, said Gregory M. Glenn, MD, president of research and development at Novavax.
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People Who Should Get The Vaccine
Some people are at greater risk from the effects of flu and should get the vaccine when offered it. Theres an increased risk if you:
- are pregnant
- are aged 50 or over, even if you feel fit and healthy
- live in a residential or nursing home
- have an illness or underlying health condition
The annual flu vaccination programme also includes:
- pre-school children aged two years and over
- children at primary school and secondary school
- carers if you care for another person, you should ask your GP if you should be vaccinated so you can continue caring for them
- health and social care workers
- staff in independent care homes, hospices and domiciliary care providers
- close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
When The Flu Vaccine Starts Working
Once you receive your flu shot, it takes 2 weeks for your body to develop antibodies that provide protection.
Its important to remember that during this period, youre still vulnerable to becoming ill with the flu.
During that time, you should be extra careful to:
- practice good hygiene
- avoid touching your nose or mouth whenever possible
- avoid crowds if flu is circulating in your community
These precautions are exponentially more important while COVID-19 is still a factor. You can develop the flu along with other respiratory infections, so protecting yourself and others is important.
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Why Is Influenza Vaccination Recommended In Pregnancy
Pregnant women are at greater risk of morbidity and mortality from influenza disease than non-pregnant women. They are more than twice as likely to be hospitalised with influenza disease as other people with influenza. Babies less than 6 months of age are at greatest risk of disease and death from influenza. Vaccinating pregnant women will also provide protection to babies for the first few months of life until they can be immunised against influenza from 6 months of age.
Administering The Flu Vaccine During The Covid
It is more important than ever to get the vaccine this year as research shows that for some people contracting COVID-19 and flu virus increases the risk of complications, which could be fatal.
Robust infection control procedures and social distancing will be in place in all settings where the flu vaccination is administered.
You can also reduce your risk or catching coronavirus by following the latest public health advice when you are out getting your vaccination:
Do not attend your vaccination appointment if you are displaying symptoms of COVID-19 or if you are in self-isolation having been identified as a close contact of a positive COVID-19. You should rearrange your appointment.
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Can I Get The Flu Vaccine If I Have A Latex Allergy
Influenza vaccines used in Australia dont contain latex and are safe for people with a latex allergy or sensitivity. While the product information for Fluarix Tetra and Fluad Quad state that some presentations of the vaccine cannot be considered latex-free, these presentations are actually not supplied in Australia.
Misconceptions About Flu Vaccines
Can a flu vaccine give you flu?
No, flu vaccines cannot cause flu illness. Flu vaccines given with a needle are made with either inactivated viruses, or with only a single protein from the flu virus. The nasal spray vaccine contains live viruses that are attenuated so that they will not cause illness.
Are any of the available flu vaccines recommended over the others?
For the 2021-2022 flu season, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months and older with any licensed, influenza vaccine that is appropriate for the recipients age and health status, including inactivated influenza vaccine , recombinant influenza vaccine , or live attenuated nasal spray influenza vaccine with no preference expressed for any one vaccine over another.
There are many vaccine options to choose from, but the most important thing is for all people 6 months and older to get a flu vaccine every year. If you have questions about which vaccine is best for you, talk to your doctor or other health care professional.
Is it better to get sick with flu than to get a flu vaccine?
Do I really need a flu vaccine every year?
Why do some people not feel well after getting a seasonal flu vaccine?
- Carolyn Bridges et al. . Effectiveness and cost-benefit of influenza vaccination of healthy working adults: A randomized controlled trialexternal icon.
What about serious reactions to flu vaccine?
Can vaccinating someone twice provide added immunity?
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Getting A Flu Vaccine During The Covid
Yes. Getting a flu vaccine is an essential part of protecting your health and your familys health every year. Take recommended precautions to protect yourself from COVID-19 while getting your flu vaccine.
Yes. Wearing a mask and physical distancing can help protect you and others from respiratory viruses, like flu and the virus that causes COVID-19. However, the best way to reduce your risk of flu illness and its potentially serious complications is for everyone 6 months and older to get a flu vaccine each year. By getting a flu vaccine, you may also be protecting people around you who are more vulnerable to serious flu complications.
Yes, you can get a COVID-19 vaccine and a flu vaccine at the same time.
Even though both vaccines can be given at the same visit, people should follow the recommended schedule for either vaccine: If you havent gotten your currently recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccine, get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can, and ideally get a flu vaccine by the end of October.
While limited data exist on giving COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines, including flu vaccines, experience with giving other vaccines together has shown the way our bodies develop protection and possible side effects are generally similar whether vaccines are given alone or with other vaccines.
If you have concerns about getting both vaccines at the same time, you should speak with a health care provider.