As flu season is approaching it is important to get the yearly influenza (flu) vaccine. Per CDC guidelines, almost everyone 6 months of age and older should get an annual flu vaccine. It is recommended to get your vaccine by the end of October and with the COVID vaccine now available many people are concerned about getting both vaccines together.
According to the CDC, it is safe to get both the flu and COVID vaccines at one time. It was reported that the side effects were similar whether you received one or both vaccines together. For the certain immunocompromised patients who currently qualify for the COVID booster, they could get both the booster and flu vaccine together. The vaccines may be administered in different arms to help with injection site reactions.
Vaccination is important to not only protect yourself but to protect the people around you. In pregnancy, it is safe to get inactivated vaccines including the flu vaccine. Now it is also recommended to get the COVID vaccine in pregnancy. By getting vaccines during pregnancy patients can pass protective immunity to the newborn.
We will be offering the flu vaccine in our office shortly and encourage everyone to get both the COVID and influenza vaccines.
