Is it OK to get the flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time?

 

According to Dr. Cassandra M. Pierre, an infectious disease physician and medical director of public health programs at Boston Medical Center, not only is it safe to get both shots at the same time, she actually recommends doubling up if you have not had either vaccine yet or you are due for your second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to help prevent the spread of both diseases in the community.

In fact, getting multiple immunizations in one appointment is not a new practice. For example, kids routinely get several shots—for example, the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines—at the same appointment. So introducing multiple viruses to the body at once does not impact how well your immune system can protect you from them. 

In other words: it is unlikely your body would struggle to create an immune response to influenza because it was mounting one to COVID-19, or vice versa. Immunogenicity—the ability of a vaccine to promote an immune response—and adverse events are generally similar whether one shot or multiple shots are given. And it is not likely you will feel significantly worse after getting both shots than you would had you just gotten one. If you typically feel crummy after vaccines, getting two vaccines does not mean you should feel double the side effects. 

Dr. Nicolas Barros, an infectious disease specialist at Indiana University Health, suggests using different limbs, if possible, to avoid having a localized pain reaction on the same limb from two vaccines.

Now, as a more transmissible variant of COVID-19 continues to surge and this year's flu season approaches, Dr. Pierre says it is ideal to seek protection against both. "We're really concerned about the resurfacing of influenza at a time when COVID-19 is rising," she says. In general, doctors recommend getting a flu vaccine near the beginning of flu season, which usually occurs from September to May. "People are busy, so it is expedient to try to cut down on the number of appointments you have and just get both at once." 

In the future, you may be able to get both the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines all in one shot; Dr. Pierre says several vaccine manufacturers are currently working on making co-vaccines. For now, though, you can get two jabs—ideally at the same appointment.