HISTORIC TRIANGLE — Flu season is here and experts are recommending getting the shot in early fall or before the end of October.
However, this year’s flu season happening during the same time as the rollout of COVID-19 booster shots for eligible people.
Many are wondering if it is okay for those who still need to be vaccinated or are getting their booster shots to get it at the same time as their flu shots.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), It is safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine and a flu shot at the same time and both can be given during the same visit.
While there is limited data on administering COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines, the CDC said that past experience with giving other vaccines together has shown that the way bodies develop protection and possible side effects are generally similar whether receiving a vaccines alone or with other vaccines.
Kathy Koehl, system director of clinical pharmacy services for Riverside Health System, said that patients are encouraged to be vaccinated for both flu and COVID-19 in order to protect themselves and the community.
“The CDC states that our immune response to vaccines is generally the same whether receiving one or multiple vaccines,” Koehl said. “In accordance with this, we are hosting several free clinics with both flu and COVID-19 vaccines available for those not yet fully vaccinated throughout the month.”
Riverside is hosting free drive-thru and walk-up clinics throughout the region for both flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.
Patients ages 12 years and older can receive the flu and Comirnaty COVID-19 (formerly known as the Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccines at the same time, with one in each arm, including second and third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine with proof of prior vaccination.
