What You Need To Know About Pneumonia And Flu Shots
This article was first published in The Montreal Gazette.
Recently, Oprah got pneumonia. Then she went on Ellen to recommend that everyone get their flu and pneumonia shots. Given that only 42 per cent of Canadians over the age of 65 got the pneumonia vaccine in 2016, maybe Oprah can get us over the 80 per cent target.
Sadly, Oprah has not always been a strong advocate for science. She gave a platform to Jenny McCarthy when she started claiming that vaccines caused her sons autism, and she also introduced the world to Dr. Oz.
But as Oprah explained to Ellen, pneumonia is no joke. Around 1.5 million people are hospitalized with pneumonia every year. Around 100,000 die in hospital and a third of people hospitalized with pneumonia die within the year.
Older patients are at greater risk and so are those with pre-existing lung disease. Smoking is also a risk factor for pneumonia, so if you need an extra incentive to stop smoking, this is it. But the main way to prevent pneumonia is with vaccines.
The problem with the pneumonia vaccine is not one of efficacy. A Cochrane meta-analysis of 18 randomized trials found that the pneumonia vaccine led to a substantial reduction in infections. The problem is which pneumonia vaccine to give people.
And if you wont listen to me, at least listen to Oprah.
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Pneumonia Vaccine And Flu Vaccine
You can administer either pneumonia vaccine and the flu shot during the same visit, Dr. Horovitz says.
In general, the CDC recommends pneumonia vaccines for young kids, older adults, and certain at-risk people. Pneumovax protects against 23 common types of pneumococcus, and Prevnar protects against 13 types.
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I had a senior flu shot in 2015 at 4:30 pm. About 12 hours later I woke up with a severe headache and pain starting under my left arm going across my chest. I thought I was having a heart attack. It was so fraightening I have not gotten one since. I am 88 years old.
I had a flu shot at 9 AM and at 11 AM that same day I experienced chest heaviness. I was not short ofbreath or having chest pain just chest heaviness I also at that time was experiencing a severe headache . Are these symptoms possible side effects?
Common side effects of the flu shot include:Soreness, redness, and/or swelling from the shot.Headache.
Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include:Difficulty breathingSwelling around the eyes or lipsHivesWeaknessA fast heartbeat or dizzinessLife-threatening allergic reactions to the flu shot are rare. These signs would most likely happen within a few minutes to a few hours after the vaccine is given.
We can’t know if chest heaviness is related to the flu shot, it might be, though it’s not listed above. Check with your doctor.
Helena
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What Side Effects Should I Look Out For
Side effects vary from vaccine to vaccine, according to Privor-Dumm.
According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services website Vaccine.org, common issues include:
- Soreness at the injection site
- A low-grade fever
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
In very rare cases, you may be allergic to the ingredients in a vaccine or have another severe reaction. If you feel sick in any way after receiving a shot, call your doctor, Privor-Dumm says.
Does The Vaccine For One Virus Protect Against The Other Virus
COVID-19 and influenza are two very different respiratory viruses. The vaccine against COVID will not protect against influenza. The vaccine against influenza will not protect against COVID. We really are recommending that you be vaccinated against both viruses to protect you, your family, and your community.
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Doctors Support The Change
Richard Watkins, MD, an infectious disease physician and a professor of internal medicine at the Northeast Ohio Medical University, tells Verywell that there was never any compelling evidence for the previous recommendation, adding, I am glad it has been changed.
Watkins says that the move may help more children get vaccinated, noting the convenience factor. Under the updated guidance, families only have to make one trip to get vaccinated instead of several under the previous recommendations, he says.
John Schreiber, MD, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, tells Verywell that the changed guidance seems like a reasonable thing to do.
Schreiber anticipates that some parents may still be wary to give their children other vaccines at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine, but say that new recommendations are sound.
I dont have any concerns with this, Schreiber says. But, he adds, the CDC and AAP will monitor children to see what happens next. If it turns out that children are complaining about more side effects after getting vaccinated, Im sure the recommendations can be modified.”
The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page.
Flu Vaccine During Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, you should get the flu vaccine as soon as possible.This is because pregnant people are more at risk of complications from flu.
If you are pregnant through two flu seasons , you may needto get two flu vaccines . Readmore about the flu vaccine during pregnancy.
You may be able to get the flu vaccine on the same day as the whoopingcough vaccine.
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Can I Get Both Vaccines At The Same Time
For adults, both the COVID vaccine and influenza vaccine can be given at the same time. Theres no concern about increased side effects from both vaccines nor are there any concerns about them not working as well. You may get a sore arm from both but overall side effects are very minimal with both of these vaccines. Theyre both very safe.
For children 5-11, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and the Ontario Ministry of Health recommend spacing out the COVID vaccine from other vaccines by two weeks out of an abundance of caution to track side effects more easily.
The Shot: Pneumonia Vaccine
How often: Depends on your health status.
What to expect: There are two versions of the vaccine PPSV23 and PCV13. Your health status and any underlying conditions determine which version you need, the number of doses, and the timeline that you should receive those doses.
The pneumonia vaccines, PCV13 and PPSV23, prevent infections that can occur from 13 to 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria respectively the efficiency of these vaccines range from 45% to 75%. The pneumonia vaccines are really most relevant for folks who are either older adultswe typically think people more than the age of 50 to 65, or those who are immunosuppressed, Dr. Wolfe says.
Most likely, you will only get the pneumonia shot once in your adulthood or, depending on your longevity, once every five years. They’re obviously less frequent. It’s a good conversation I think people should have with their physician as it comes into September or October and things are starting to cool down, Dr. Wolfe says.
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Will Being Vaccinated Against Flu Pneumonia And Shingles Help Prevent Covid
The short answer is no. But reducing your risk for getting sick with the flu, pneumonia, or shingles which is what these vaccines do makes a lot of sense during the pandemic, Privor-Dumm says.
Lowering your risk for vaccine-preventable diseases will help you avoid doctors offices and hospitals, which will reduce any potential exposure to the coronavirus, Privor-Dumm adds.
Plus, Privor-Dumm says, Preventing serious disease can help keep you out of the hospital at a time when health resources may be needed to treat COVID-19 patients.
Shingles Vaccine Has Well
The recombinant zoster vaccine, approved in 2017, has replaced the live attenuated zoster vaccine. The previous vaccine caused fewer adverse effects but was far less effective in preventing shingles in older adults.
The recombinant vaccine is now recommended for most adults at least 50 years of age as a one-time, two-dose series.
It is critical to discern the reasons people are not getting their flu shots because fewer than half of American adults get an annual flu shot. Of those, 30% cite potential adverse effects as the reason for hesitation.
However, only injection-site symptoms, such as pain, redness, and swelling, are known to be caused by the influenza vaccine.
Researchers adjusted for factors that could differ between the two study groups, including demographic, clinical, and healthcare use variables.
They also adjusted for insurance type, month, and location of the 2018/19 influenza vaccination, and concurrent administration of any additional vaccines besides the zoster vaccine.
“We also adjusted for several comorbidities known to increase the risk of complications from influenza, including hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma, chronic kidney disease, or liver disease, and immunocompromising conditions,” the authors write.
They also took into account whether people in the study had had the flu vaccine in the year prior to the study.
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Why Do I Have To Wait 7 Days Between Getting The Influenza And Covid
The COVID-19 vaccine does not protect against the flu, so you should still have your annual flu shot.
It is recommended that people wait at least 7 days between a dose of seasonal flu vaccine and a dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Theres no evidence that the 2 vaccinations interact with each other, this is a precautionary recommendation that allows for proper safety and monitoring for both vaccines.
If people experience common side effects from one vaccine, it will be clear which one if there is an appropriate gap between the vaccinations.
So, the 7-day time frame is a precautionary measure to manage the common side effects that come with many vaccinations.
A shorter time frame is acceptable in certain circumstances:
- Increased risk of COVID-19 or another vaccine-preventable disease
- Logistical issues
Read the full advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation on Influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations.
With new COVID-19 vaccine developments every day, its normal to have questions or concerns, and possibly feel hesitant about getting a vaccine. That’s why we’re providing accurate, evidence-based answers to questions about COVID-19 vaccines.
You Can Get Flu Shot Covid
BANGOR, Maine – Local officials want people to know about changes in the guidance around getting your flu shot this year.
Last year, masking and indoor gathering limitations were among the factors that contributed to a mild flu season.
Now, we are all back together, and Dr. James Jarvis from Northern Light Health says its time to get the shot.
Previously, the advice had been that anyone who got the COVID-19 vaccine needed 14 days separation from any other vaccine.
That has changed.
It is perfectly safe to receive multiple vaccines, including the COVID vaccine, at the same time. And just like we often administer a pneumonia vaccine to eligible individuals at the same time they get their flu shot, we can administer the COVID-19 vaccine when they get their flu shot as well, and if thats the booster, then thats the booster time too as well, said Jarvis.
The flu shot is free and can be administered in a variety of places across the state including pharmacies, grocery stores, or your doctors office.
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Q: Ive Heard That The Pneumonia Shot Will Help Protect Me Against Getting Sick From Coronavirus Is That True
A: The pneumonia shot can help protect you against getting really sick with other types of viruses, like influenza, but not from the coronavirus, which causes pneumonia all by itself.
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Often times, we see that influenza can lead to secondary infections with other types of bacteria that the pneumonia shot prevents. But because coronavirus is bad enough on its own, the pneumonia shot doesnt offer protection against it.
Still, its important for some people to get the pneumonia shot, regardless of COVID-19. The germs that cause pneumonia are still out there, they arent waiting on the sidelines for coronavirus to finish its job.
The pneumonia shot is recommended for the following groups:
- Allbabies and children younger than 2 years old.
- Alladults 65 years or older.
- Adults19 through 64 years old who smoke cigarettes.
- Childrenolder than 2 and adults younger than 65 who have certain chronic diseases.
- Thosewho are at increased risk for certain diseases and those who have impaired immune systems.
If you fall into one of these categories, talk to your doctor about getting the pneumonia shot to help protect you from getting really sick from other viruses. But when it comes down to it, the pneumonia shot doesnt offer protection specifically against coronavirus.
Administration With Other Vaccines
Never administer PCV13 and PPSV23 during the same visit. If a patient needs both vaccines, you should administer PCV13 first, followed by PPSV23 at another visit. The interval between administrations depends on the age of the patient, the indication for giving it, and which vaccine you administer first. See the table below for additional information.
| Age Group |
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* Medical conditions include cochlear implants, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, functional or anatomic asplenia, and immunocompromising conditions like HIV infection, cancer, or chronic renal failure.
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So Should I Worry If They Are On The Same Day
In short, no.
The study found no significant differences between receiving the jabs on the same day and getting them 34 weeks apart.
The timing of the jabs also had no major effect on antibody response to either vaccine.
The team presented the results of the study to the U.K. Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, ultimately shaping the countrys fall and winter plan.
The committee later issued advice saying that the coadministration of the flu vaccine with a booster or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is fine.
And although health bodies will not recommend that everyone should get both vaccines on the same day, both the CDC and NHS say that this approach is safe and convenient.
It is best to get vaccinated for both of these serious respiratory infections this year than not get vaccinated at all, so go ahead and get them at the same time. You are unlikely to have worse adverse effects and should have a good reaction to both.
Dr. Monica Gandhi
Getting both vaccines on the same day could also have a practical benefit for healthcare administrators.
Three Shots At Once What About Four
The CDC doesn’t place limits on the number of vaccinations you can get at the same time as a COVID-19 vaccine dose. So you can get the flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine on the same day, or you can get a COVID-19 shot, a flu shot and any other vaccine such as measles, pneumonia or shingles during the same visit.
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If you’re due for a shot that’s not time-sensitive the way the COVID-19 and influenza shots are, Mishori says she sometimes recommends that patients space them out, especially if the other vaccine is known for its side effects, like the shingles vaccine is.
“I tell my patients, You don’t want to get the shingles and COVID vaccine at the same time because you’re going to feel really, really miserable, she says. Shingles vaccine side effects may include fatigue, headache, muscle pain and nausea.
However, Mishori says convenience is a big consideration. I’ll ask, How disruptive is it going to be for your life? Can you get time off if you work to come back in? If not, go ahead and get it today.’
Michelle Crouch is a contributing writer who has covered health and personal finance for some of the nation’s top consumer publications. Her work has appeared in Reader’s Digest, Real Simple, Prevention, The Washington Post and The New York Times.
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Administering Different Flu And Covid
Dr. Rajeka Lazarus, a consultant in microbiology and infectious diseases at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust and chief investigator for the ComFluCOV study, told Medical News Today that the team conducted the trials to support the potential need to administer COVID-19 boosters alongside seasonal influenza vaccines.
Researchers at the University of Bristol led the study, which involved 679 volunteers across 12 NHS sites in England and Wales. The volunteers were all over the age of 18 years and had received at least one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
The researchers examined six combinations involving the two COVID-19 vaccines and three flu vaccines: Flucelvax QIV, Flublok Quadrivalent , and Fluad. A different cohort of participants tested each combination.
The researchers randomly allocated half of each cohort to received the flu vaccine or a placebo saline injection on the same day as the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. They administered the vaccines in opposite arms so that they could tell which injection was responsible for any local reactions.
After 3 weeks, the participants in the placebo groups received the flu vaccine.
The researchers then set up a follow-up study to discuss any side effects. They also collected blood samples from the participants.
Should I Vaccinate My Child
Vaccinating children for influenza is probably one of the most important things we can do. Children are very prone to influenza. There are serious consequences of influenza in children albeit rare, but children are often the source of influenza to those adults and particularly older people around them. The vaccine is available free for anyone over the age of six months so I would encourage everybody parents, grandparents to encourage vaccination of children as one of the best things we can do in our community.
Vaccinating children for influenza is probably one of the most important things we can do.
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