Discovering time to get vaccinated will be difficult, and it’s comprehensible to wish to reduce journeys to the pharmacy or physician. With that, it’s truthful to marvel if you will get your COVID and flu photographs on the identical time.
Meet the specialists: Thomas Russo, M.D., professor and chief of infectious illness on the College at Buffalo in New York; Jennifer Walsh, D.N.P., an affiliate professor of nursing at George Washington College; William Schaffner, M.D., an infectious illness specialist and professor on the Vanderbilt College Faculty of Medication.
Recommendation round this has flip-flopped for the reason that COVID-19 pandemic started, creating slightly confusion on whether or not you may double up or if it’s greatest to house out your photographs. And with flu season and COVID waves probably overlapping, getting vaccinated is extra vital than ever.
Right here’s what docs need you to find out about getting your COVID and flu vaccines on the identical time, what negative effects to anticipate, and what to typically think about in the event you’re pondering of going this route.
Can I get the COVID and flu photographs on the identical time?
Sure, you will get your COVID and flu photographs on the identical time. In reality, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says you could get the COVID-19 vaccine and different vaccines, together with the flu vaccine, directly.
“Getting them on the identical time gained’t have an effect on the immune response,” says Thomas Russo, M.D., professor and chief of infectious illness on the College at Buffalo in New York.
“The immune system is wonderful and may deal with a number of vaccines on the identical time,” says Jennifer Walsh, D.N.P., an affiliate professor of nursing at George Washington College. “Hardly ever, some people might need a barely extra intense response with the mRNA vaccines—maybe extra soreness or achiness, however it’s nonetheless completely protected to get each on the identical time and what we suggest for many.”
Some docs will do that, too. “I received mine concurrently final yr, and in the identical arm,” says William Schaffner, M.D., an infectious illness specialist and professor on the Vanderbilt College Faculty of Medication. “It’s not solely permitted however inspired as a result of a vaccine deferred is commonly a vaccine that’s not acquired.”
When ought to I get my COVID and flu photographs?
The updated COVID-19 vaccine is now obtainable, and docs suggest getting it as quickly as attainable. Nevertheless, you’ve gotten slightly extra time in your flu shot—the CDC simply suggests getting it earlier than Halloween.
Potential negative effects of getting the COVID and flu shot on the identical time
The flu shot and COVID-19 shot every include their very own potential negative effects. Right here’s what it’s possible you’ll expertise when it comes to side effects whenever you get the flu shot:
And these are the most typical potential side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine:
“In case you do get them concurrently, there’s no proof of including on negative effects,” Dr. Schaffner says. “You would possibly get two sore arms, however that’s it.”
Right here’s the factor: In case you are inclined to have negative effects after getting your flu or COVID-19 shot, or after each, it’s nonetheless probably you could have them whenever you get each directly. And, in the event you’ve reacted to each prior to now, you could possibly find yourself coping with each negative effects directly, Dr. Russo factors out.
“In case you’re a person that will get reactogenic signs, you would possibly really feel worse by getting the photographs collectively,” he says. His advice: Attempt to get your flu shot the afternoon earlier than you’re off, like on a Friday, in the event you’re off on Saturdays. That may give you a while to chill out and relaxation in the event you want it.
Which shot ought to I get first, if I house them out?
Once more, you may positively get the flu and COVID vaccines on the identical time. However in the event you determine to house them out, it’s in all probability higher to get the COVID-19 vaccine first.
“I might positively get the COVID vaccine first, significantly in the event you’re excessive danger,” Dr. Russo says. “COVID is circulating in every single place, however there’s little or no flu circulating now.”
Dr. Schaffner agrees: “There’s extra COVID on the market in the mean time than there may be flu.”
In case you determine to house them out, Dr. Russo suggests placing every week between your vaccines, noting that most individuals who get negative effects are inclined to really feel higher inside a day. “But when the one likelihood you need to get vaccinated is to get these two photographs collectively, get them on the identical time,” he says.
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