Flu and Covid Vaccine

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

I got both of my jabs on Sunday - I was tired yesterday but feel much better today. Hydrate and rest if you need to. Best to get them done at one time honestly, if you do have side effects then it’s once and not twice.

One of my reasons for not doing both at the same time is that I want to know which vaccine (or both potentially) I have a reaction to and what it is. Even if for no reason other than for anecdotal information for myself. But I totally understand the one and get it done philosophy.

 

[dvcgirl67]

We got them together this year before a trip to South Africa. And a week later got Hepatitis A and Tetnus together. In between we got Shingrix. No issues. The covid vaccine doesn't affect me anymore in the way the first few did....other than a sore arm. Shingrix caused the sorest arm with a little swelling, but we managed with no issues. Nothing like a big trip to catch you up on vaccines.

 

[wallawallakids]

I agree, I think the main factor in getting two vaccines at once is convenience.

There is actually evidence that doing both flu and covid together spikes specific antibody response. I am happy to post the medical journal publication if anyone is interested and if it is allowed on here. If not, it is easily searched on PubMed.

 

[BrianL]

I got my Covid shot yesterday and had no ill effects. Honestly, my arm isn't even as sore as usual, but that has more to do with who does the sticking than anything else. I remember getting my first shot at the drive-through that the city had set up. The nurse had a light tough. When it was time for the second, they had changed to the National Guard running things, and that medic is used to working on soldiers - He jammed that needle in! It was quick, but left one of those big bruises.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Both DH and I got the 2 shots on the same day (although we went on different days). One of my arms (I think it was the Covid one) was pretty sore for a few days.
I'm really interested about the responses from people who got both shots in the same arm on the same day. The nurse asked me if I wanted them in the same arm, but my theory was "2 arms for 2 shots". However, she said that a lot of people want both shots in the same arm. Based on the lack of problems people here have reported with doing it, I might consider it for next year. It would be kind of nice to keep one arm I can sleep on that night!

 

[RedHead0186]

There is actually evidence that doing both flu and covid together spikes specific antibody response. I am happy to post the medical journal publication if anyone is interested and if it is allowed on here. If not, it is easily searched on PubMed.

Thanks for sharing, I wasn't aware of that. I still think most people that get both at once are primarily motivated by convenience, but good to know that there's a antibody benefit as well!

 

[Smugpugmug]

Sorry you are feeling so bad. Hoping it passes quickly!

Thanks. Yesterday was the worst of it and I feel a little off today but not as bad as before. I wanted to get both shots before I go to Japan in less than a month from now.

 

[Tiggerish]

Yesterday I got my Flu shot and my Covid shot in one arm. Then in the other arm I got my second shingles shot and my first pneumonia shot. Last night my arms were a little sore but fully recovered today.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Got our covid vaccines yesterday and thankfully all we had so far was a sore arm and a teensy sniffle, first time I ever had the tiny sniffle but it is a side effect.

We are headed to Florida in a few weeks so I should be fully protected by then, I'll still mask but last year the shot plus masks everywhere but dining kept me safe at WDW so why not? Fingers crossed

 

[DCLMP]

Never had either one.

 

[prairie_girl]

Anyone get both of these at the same time? Scheduled to do so later this morning, but am now wondering if I should do one today and one next week?

We are going on a cruise soon and traveling over the winter, which is actually why I am getting them.

Anyone do both and were the side effects mild or worse than just getting one?

I have an appointment on Friday to get both at the same time. They really knock me out so I need the whole three days to recover.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I got my flu shot last week, getting the current COVID shot next week.

 

[ronandannette]

My DH and I got just the flu shot this time. I am curious -- does anyone have any hesitation over getting the Covid vaccine?

I'm getting my annual flu shot next week at my workplace. No further Covid vaccine for me at this stage. They have now changed the information to clarify that the main efficacy is in reducing severity, not preventing infection or transmitting the virus. I'm not "hesitant" due to any fear of vaccine injury, just not seeing it as necessary for myself.

 

[_19disnA]

I think the main reason pharmacies encourage getting both the flu & covid vaccine at the same time is convenience. I assume they think people won't bother to return for a second shot and will only get one of them. The main reason for any vaccine is to reduce your risk whether that is less severe symptoms or a shorter time with that illness. People who choose to not get them each seem to have their own rationalization for what they do. Covid CAN make some people seriously ill and you have no way to know if you are one of those until you actually contract that illness.

 

[Dan Murphy]

The main reason for any vaccine is to reduce your risk whether that is less severe symptoms or a shorter time with that illness.

Covid CAN make some people seriously ill and you have no way to know if you are one of those until you actually contract that illness.

I really agree with that. As a young-at-heart, spry 80 year old, with ongoing heart and lung issues, I take the various vaccines (flu, COVID, shingles, pneumonia, Tdap, etc.) to hopefully minimize issues, such as hospitalization, death or long-term after-effects. If they actually prevent a disease or sickness, all the better. When I got COVID for the first time back in June, maybe my prior 8 COVID shots over the past 3 1/2 years let my symptoms only be tiredness for 2 days. Who knows?

 

[LuvOrlando]

I'm getting my annual flu shot next week at my workplace. No further Covid vaccine for me at this stage. They have now changed the information to clarify that the main efficacy is in reducing severity, not preventing infection or transmitting the virus. I'm not "hesitant" due to any fear of vaccine injury, just not seeing it as necessary for myself.

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Interesting, isn't this true of all vaccines though?

My family has had Flu and needed Tamiflu even with the vaccine since the vaccine only covers a guesstimate few strains and there can be others circulating at any given time so it is not a foolproof thing by any stretch it just seems like Covid is under the microscope more.

I don't think I ever thought any vaccine does anything more than prime our bodies to better fight the germs it is designed to fight.

 

[Christine]

Interesting, isn't this true of all vaccines though?

My family has had Flu and needed Tamiflu even with the vaccine since the vaccine only covers a guesstimate few strains and there can be others circulating at any given time so it is not a foolproof thing by any stretch it just seems like Covid is under the microscope more.

I don't think I ever thought any vaccine does anything more than prime our bodies to better fight the germs it is designed to fight.

No, some are absolutely "sterilizing" or close to it. Tetanus, polio, shingles, measles. I don't know that anything is 100% but when you are in the upper 90th percentile it is completely preventing illness for most people. The flu vaccine never has and sometimes it's efficacy rate is pretty abysmal.

 

[ronandannette]

Interesting, isn't this true of all vaccines though?

My family has had Flu and needed Tamiflu even with the vaccine since the vaccine only covers a guesstimate few strains and there can be others circulating at any given time so it is not a foolproof thing by any stretch it just seems like Covid is under the microscope more.

I don't think I ever thought any vaccine does anything more than prime our bodies to better fight the germs it is designed to fight.

Must be just me. I have a weird memory of being compelled to be vaccinated in Canada in order to reduce the risk of transmission to the vulnerable.

 

[greeneyedchick]

Never believed in getting vaccines at the same time. I know they say it is fine but really, it seems like a lot to trick your body into thinking it has two infections at once - plus the adjuvants are serious business. I don't know if I've ever actually seen a study on the efficacy of just one at a time vs two. At any rate, I spaced them for myself and definitely spaced vaccines for my kids when they were little. The Pediatrician gave me a tough time, apparently the argument for doing multiple is because you are in the chair and they don't want to lose the patient from a public health perspective which is risk when a patient walks away, but there was nothing that said it was better to do more than one vax at once for the individual.

I am getting ready for the new Covid one which I like before Halloween and if I do Flu it will be in November to cover from Thanksgiving and then reach as far into early spring as I can manage, Flu generally slams from Thanksgiving through April. Been doing this for ages and the timing seems reasonable.

I always waited to get the flu shot in the beginning of Nov. too. However, my sons and I all got a bad case of Flu-A 3 weeks ago and we were sick for 11 days, even with tamiflu for one of my sons. It was a doozy. We live in Orlando and apparently the flu arrived early this year. I regretted not getting an early flu shot. Just something to be aware of if you'll be in the Orlando area. My son's high school had a lot of sick kids.

 

[klmall]

Got my Covid, flu and RSV shots all at the same time with only a headache the next day. I wanted to reduce my chances of illness for my upcoming trip!