Can You Give Flu And Pneumonia Vaccine At Same Time

Findings Suggest Utility Of Text Messaging To Monitor Safety

NEW YORK, NY Giving young children the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines together appears to increase their risk of fever, according to a study led by researchers from Columbia University Medical Center and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . However, the fever was brief, and medical care was sought for few children, supporting the routine immunization schedule for these vaccines, including the recommendation to administer them simultaneously. The study, which looked at children 623 months old, was published online on Jan. 6, 2014, in JAMA Pediatrics.

Public health experts agree that timely immunizations are an important means of protection against serious diseases and infections for people of all ages. The CDC and other medical professional organizations often recommend giving the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines at the same visit, if both are dueboth to prevent getting influenza or other infections between visits and to avoid a possible delay in vaccinations due to difficulty returning to the clinic .

Parents should be made aware that their child might develop a fever following simultaneous influenza and pneumococcal vaccinationsbut that the benefits of these vaccines outweigh the risk of fever and, in most cases, the fever will be brief, said Dr. Stockwell. For the small group of children who must avoid fever, these findings provide important information for clinicians and parents.

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Can The Shots Cause Pneumonia Or Make You Sick

No. The pneumonia vaccines dont contain live bacteria, so they cant cause an infection. They wont cause pneumonia or other pneumococcal diseases. If you dont feel well after your vaccine, you should discuss your symptoms with your healthcare provider to find out whether they are related to the vaccine or caused by another illness.

Can You Get Them At The Same Time Yes

We’re approaching flu season and still in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, which means protection against both of these viruses is essential, says Len Horovitz, MD, a pulmonary specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

When Covid-19 vaccines were first rolling out in the United States, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended waiting two weeks between the shots and other immunizations as a precaution, but the agency has changed course and now says you can do both at once.

“There were some concerns early on given the newness of the Covid-19 vaccines, but now we know that it is safe to get both at the same time,” says Mohammad Sobhanie, MD, an infectious disease expert at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.

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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.

How Often Do You Need To Get The Pneumonia Vaccines

Sometimes, vaccines require a booster shot. This means that an additional shot is given after the initial one to make sure that you dont lose immunity over time.

PCV13 never requires a booster shot in children or adults after all recommended doses are received.

Sometimes, PPSV23 requires a booster shot, depending on when and why it was given:

• Children who get PPSV23 due to certain health conditions, like cancer and conditions that weaken the immune system, need a booster 5 years after the first dose.

• Adults who get PPSV23 before age 65 should get one booster at least 5 years after the first dose, once theyve turned 65. No booster is needed if the first dose is given after age 65.

• Adults with a weakened immune system and other specific conditions should have another dose 5 years after their first dose, and then one more dose at least 5 years after their most recent dose, once theyve turned 65.

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Flu And Pneumonia Shots

Having the flu can be dangerous for anyone. But it is extra risky for people with diabetes or other chronic health problems. Having diabetes means having more instances of high blood sugar than a person without diabetes. High blood sugar hinders your white blood cells ability to fight infections.

Beyond people living with diabetes, flu is also extra risky for people with heart disease, smokers and those with chronic lung disease, people who have an impaired immune system , very young children, and people living in very close quarters, such as college dorms, military barracks, or nursing homes.

What Are The Symptoms Of Pneumonia

The signs and symptoms of pneumonia can range from mild to severe. The symptoms depend on the type of germ that caused the infection, your age and overall health. Mild signs and symptoms of pneumonia are often similar the symptoms of a cold or flu, but the effects of pneumonia last longer.

Signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include:

• Chest pain when you breathe or cough
• Confusion or changes in mental awareness
• Cough, which may produce phlegm
• Fatigue
• Fever, sweating and shaking chills
• Lower-than-normal body temperature
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Shortness of breath

Newborns and infants may not show any sign or symptoms of the infection. However, they may vomit, have a fever, cough, be restless or tired, or have difficulty breathing and eating.

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Side Effects Of The Pneumococcal Vaccine

Like most vaccines, the childhood and adult versions of the pneumococcal vaccine can sometimes cause mild side effects.

These include:

• redness where the injection was given
• hardness or swelling where the injection was given

There are no serious side effects listed for either the childhood or adult versions of the vaccine, apart from an extremely rare risk of a severe allergic reaction .

Getting Multiple Vaccines At The Same Time Has Been Shown To Be Safe

Scientific data show that getting several vaccines at the same time does not cause any chronic health problems. A number of studies have been done to look at the effects of giving various combinations of vaccines, and when every new vaccine is licensed, it has been tested along with the vaccines already recommended for a particular aged child. The recommended vaccines have been shown to be as effective in combination as they are individually. Sometimes, certain combinations of vaccines given together can cause fever, and occasionally febrile seizures these are temporary and do not cause any lasting damage. Based on this information, both the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend getting all routine childhood vaccines on time.

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You no longer need to wait 14 days between vaccinations, its website states. Experience with other vaccines has shown that the way our bodies develop protection, known as an immune response, after getting vaccinated and possible side effects of vaccines are generally the same when given alone or with other vaccines.

The CDC does suggest that those getting two shots at once get them in separate limbs, if possible.

The CDC also recommends people get the flu vaccine by the end of October. Those who get vaccinated too early, particularly older adults, may have reduced protection against flu infection later in the season, the CDC states.

As COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths continue to rise across the Fredericksburg area, state and nation, some pharmacies, such as Walgreens, are preparing for the co-circulation of both viruses, according to a press release. This years flu season coincides with the return to many in-person school, work, travel and social activities.

One Virginia school system already has experienced the two-at-once phenomenon. Rappahannock County, a rural locality with about 850 students in two schools, returned to virtual learning after numerous cases of both infections, according to school officials.

The death of one child from the flu was reported to the CDC during last years influenza season. The year before, deaths of 199 children were reported, according to the CDC.

How Long Does A Pneumonia Shot Last

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• Younger than 2 years old: four shots
• 65 years old or older: two shots, which will last you the rest of your life
• Between 2 and 64 years old: between one and three shots if you have certain immune system disorders or if youre a smoker

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Do I Have To Wait Between Getting The Influenza And Covid

COVID-19 vaccines can be co-administered with an influenza vaccine.

Studies show that co-administration of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines is safe and produces a good immune response.

The COVID-19 vaccinedoes not protect against theflu, so you should still have your annual flu shot.

Speak with your usual health care provider to see if this is right for you.

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.

Age Recommendations And Dosing

Prevnar 13 is approved for use in children 6 weeks and older, and the CDC recommends it for children younger than 2 years old and people 2 years or older with certain medical conditions. Its given into the muscle, and its a 4-dose series for children between 2 and 15 months of age. For children who dont receive the vaccine at this time, a catch-up schedule is available.

Prevnar 20 is currently approved for use in adults at least 18 years old, but official CDC recommendations havent been established yet. Its given as a single-dose injection into the muscle.

Pneumovax 23 is approved for use in children 2 years and older at higher risk of infection and adults at least 50 years old. However, the CDC recommends it for all adults 65 years or older, people 2 through 64 years with certain medical conditions, and adults 19 through 64 years who smoke cigarettes. Its a single-dose injection given into the muscle or skin, but additional doses may be recommended for some people.

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Spacing Of Multiple Doses Of The Same Antigen

Vaccination providers should adhere to recommended vaccination schedules . Administration at recommended ages and in accordance with recommended intervals between doses of multidose antigens provides optimal protection.

Administration of doses of a multidose vaccine using intervals that are shorter than recommended might be necessary in certain circumstances, such as impending international travel or when a person is behind schedule on vaccinations but needs rapid protection. In these situations, an accelerated schedule can be implemented using intervals between doses that are shorter than intervals recommended for routine vaccination . The accelerated or minimum intervals and ages for scheduling catch-up vaccinations. Vaccine doses should not be administered at intervals less than these minimum intervals or at an age that is younger than the minimum age.*

Certain vaccines produce increased rates of local or systemic reactions in certain recipients when administered more frequently than recommended . Careful record keeping, maintenance of patient histories, use of immunization information systems , and adherence to recommended schedules can decrease the incidence of such reactions without adversely affecting immunity.

How Much Will It Cost

At this time, Prevnar 20s list price hasnt been announced. However, this vaccine will likely be common for older adults, and its expected that Medicare will cover the bill. Pneumococcal vaccines are a cost-free benefit of Medicare Part B, and people with original Medicare or Medicare Advantage can receive covered pneumococcal vaccines with specific providers.

If you have Medicaid, check with your state Medicaid agency to see which vaccines are offered. Many Medicaid plans pay for some vaccines, but specific coverage varies.

All Health Insurance Marketplace plans and many private plans cover pneumococcal vaccines when provided by an in-network provider, but costs can vary depending on the specific insurance plan.

For people without insurance or adequate coverage, financial assistance and coupon programs may be available. Check back with GoodRx to find more ways to save and make your vaccinations more affordable.

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General Principles For Vaccine Scheduling

Optimal response to a vaccine depends on multiple factors, including the type of vaccine, age of the recipient, and immune status of the recipient. Recommendations for the age at which vaccines are administered are influenced by age-specific risks for disease, age-specific risks for complications, age-specific responses to vaccination, and potential interference with the immune response by passively transferred maternal antibodies. Vaccines are generally recommended for members of the youngest age group at risk for experiencing the disease for which vaccine efficacy and safety have been demonstrated.

Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids require booster doses to maintain protective antibody concentrations . Unconjugated polysaccharide vaccines do not induce T-cell memory, and additional doses might increase the duration of protection. Conjugation with a protein carrier improves the effectiveness of polysaccharide vaccines by inducing T-lymphocytedependent immunologic function . Many vaccines that stimulate both cell-mediated immunity and neutralizing antibodies can usually induce prolonged immunity, even if antibody titers decline over time . Subsequent exposure to such viruses usually results in a rapid anamnestic antibody response without viremia.

How The Pneumococcal Vaccine Works

Both types of pneumococcal vaccine encourage your body to produce antibodies against pneumococcal bacteria.

Antibodies are proteins produced by the body to neutralise or destroy disease-carrying organisms and toxins.

They protect you from becoming ill if you’re infected with the bacteria.

More than 90 different strains of the pneumococcal bacterium have been identified, although most of these strains do not cause serious infections.

The childhood vaccine protects against 13 strains of the pneumococcal bacterium, while the adult vaccine protects against 23 strains.

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What To Know About Mild Side Effects

As with any vaccine, you may experience some mild side effects after receiving the pneumococcal vaccine.

Mild side effects vary depending on which vaccine you receive. The side effects will usually go away within a few days.

Possible side effects of the PCV13 vaccine include:

• redness or discoloration, pain, or swelling at the site of the shot

• sleepiness or drowsiness
• mild fever

On very rare occasions, serious side effects can occur, such as high fever, convulsions, or a skin rash. Contact your childs pediatrician right away if you notice any of these symptoms.

Why Does Anyone Need A Pneumococcal Shot

• It protects against Pneumonia, which is a serious illness.
• Pneumonia can cause serious illness requiring hospitalization, or even death.
• Pneumonia, an infection of the lungs, needlessly affects millions of people worldwide each year.

Find out about the best defense against Pneumonia from your healthcare provider.

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How Can You Prevent Pneumonia

Experts recommend immunization for children and adults. Children get the pneumococcal vaccine as part of their routine shots. If you are 65 or older or you have a long-term health problem, its a good idea to get a pneumococcal vaccine. It may not keep you from getting pneumonia. But if you do get pneumonia, you probably wont be as sick. You can also get an influenza vaccine to prevent the flu, because sometimes people get pneumonia after having the flu.

You can also lower your chances of getting pneumonia by staying away from people who have the flu, respiratory symptoms, or chickenpox. You may get pneumonia after you have one of these illnesses. Wash your hands often. This helps prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria that may cause pneumonia.

Why You Shouldn’t Mix Flu Shots With Other Vaccines

It’s that time of year again. No, not autumn, when all the leaves turn to beautiful shades of red and yellow. No, not postseason baseball showdowns. And no, not the new fall television line-up of cop shows and medical dramas.

I’m talking flu shots. Every October the new flu shots come out, people panic that this may be the worst flu season ever, and everyone scrambles to get injected. I won’t bore you with all the pros and cons of whether or not you should get a flu shot. I want to focus on making sure those of you who get one are doing so in the safest manner possible.

Make sure you get the flu shot without any other simultaneous vaccines. Why? Because flu shots have not been studied for safety when simultaneously given with any other vaccines. How do I know this? It’s written in every single flu shot product insert. Go to section 7.1 for most brands of the flu vaccine and you will find a version of the following statement: “There are no data to assess the concomitant administration of with other vaccines.” In plain English: Scientists haven’t studied what the side effects might be when the flu shot is given at the same time as any other vaccines. Some brands don’t have a section 7 and don’t make any mention of safety research with other vaccines.

You can check through the flu vaccine product inserts yourself here.

Robert W. Sears, MD, FAAP is a pediatrician and the author of “The Vaccine Book.”

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