Can You Get the Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines at the Same Time?

     Influenza virus (Influenza) is a major cause of acute respiratory tract infections, which carry a high mortality rate among pregnant women, the elderly, and chronic disease patients. Getting vaccinated helps reduce the spread of influenza. Doctors strongly recommend that everyone receive an annual flu vaccine prior to the outbreak season.
 

Benefits of Receiving the Flu Vaccine During the COVID-19 Pandemic

     Receiving the flu vaccine helps reduce confusion in screening for co-infections between influenza and COVID-19. Especially during COVID-19 outbreaks, flu vaccination among elderly individuals helps lower mortality rates from COVID-19. Furthermore, getting a flu shot before contracting COVID-19 can reduce hospitalization rates and shorten hospital stays compared to those who have never been vaccinated against flu prior to COVID-19 infection.

Which Groups Should Receive the Flu Vaccine?

If you have already received 1 dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, can you still get a flu vaccine, and how long should you wait? The Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, advises 7 high-risk groups, including:

• Pregnant women with a gestational age of 4 months or more
• Children aged 6 months to 2 years
• People with chronic diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure
• Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and patients with diabetes
• Individuals aged 65 years and older
• Persons with intellectual disabilities who cannot care for themselves
• Patients with Thalassemia, immunocompromised individuals, and symptomatic HIV patients
• People with obesity weighing over 100 kg or with a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 35 kg/m²

When to Get the Flu Vaccine

You can receive the seasonal influenza (Flu) vaccine before, during, or after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

• Those who have not received the COVID-19 vaccine: Can receive the flu vaccine along with the COVID-19 vaccine immediately without spacing.
• Those who received the 1st dose of COVID-19 vaccine (AstraZeneca) and are waiting for the 2nd dose: Can receive the flu vaccine immediately without spacing, and then proceed to receive the 2nd dose as scheduled.
• Those who received the 1st dose of COVID-19 vaccine (Sinovac): Should complete both doses (spaced 2–4 weeks apart). During this interval, you can get the seasonal flu vaccine immediately without spacing.
• Those who completed both doses of COVID-19 vaccine (AstraZeneca): With the 1st and 2nd doses spaced 10–12 weeks apart, you can receive the flu vaccine immediately without spacing.

Additional Recommendations

     It is recommended that everyone, especially those in high-risk groups such as the elderly or people with underlying conditions, receive the influenza vaccine to boost immunity and help prevent the spread of flu outbreaks.

Information and images courtesy of: Department of Disease Control and NHSO.

Reference: Resolution of the Immunization Subcommittee Meeting, Public Health Emergency Operations Center, No. 368

7 High-Risk Groups Urged to Get "Flu Vaccine" — Can Be Administered Together with COVID-19 Vaccine