Anyone had Covid booster & flu vacciination at same time?

[Wangpaupau]

Wondering if anyone has had the Covid Booster & Flu vaccination at the same time? I am thinking perhaps better not to do so. Also was a different Covid vaccine given for the booster dose? Any adverse effects? Many thanks in advance for all replies.

[crashdoll]

I was told by immunology that there’s no current known reason why one can’t have both. I wasn’t able to because my GP surgery don’t offer the covid vaccine. In my local area, we go to a main hub which only does covid and not the flu jab.

It’s my understanding the third dose and boosters are currently Pfizer or Moderna. Regardless of what you had for your first dose, you’ll likely get either of those. I’m glad because I had the AZ before the developments about blood clot risk and under 40s. I’d prefer not to have a 3rd AZ but I’ll take what I’m given and be grateful, of course.

[Sheila_G in reply to crashdoll]

My problem with that is in the first line. There is no known reason (yet) why we can't but there might be soon. To early to tell. It doesn't sit well with me as you may have seen from previous posts.

[crashdoll in reply to Sheila_G]

I understand what you’re saying and I do agree but we can only go on the information we have at the time. At the time of my first vaccine, there wasn’t a suggestion there was significant enough risk to under 40s from the AZ. I don’t regret my vaccine, I made an informed decision based on the available evidence. It’s not easy though and everyone needs to do what feels safe and comfortable for them. No judgement from me ever.

[Sheila_G in reply to crashdoll]

Yes of course and I would never have refused it. I would still prefer a different one next time....I think!

[Karen12]

Yes, I had both of mine yesterday and have been absolutely fine. As Crashdoll said the “booster” dose is Pfizer or Moderna from my understanding

[watcher56 in reply to Karen12]

Did you have to have them in different arms? I had breast cancer 15 years ago and can’t have anything ( bloods taken/blood pressure done/injections) in my left arm as this may trigger lymphodemia. If anyone in the same situation has had professional advice on this, I’d be grateful to know what has been said. But if both in the same arm, I’m sorted when my time comes.

[Jillyanne in reply to watcher56]

You need to speak to a professional about this , especially as you have had breast cancer .

[Karen12 in reply to watcher56]

Separate arms for me, not sure if it makes a difference. As Jillyanne said your better of speaking to the people giving the injections or GP as obviously it is different for you

[oldtimer in reply to watcher56]

There is no reason why you should not have one in your arm and one in your thigh. Just go suitably dressed!

[Sheila_G]

Good question and one we all want to know the answer to I'm sure.

[sylvi]

I have had my flu jab, but it is too early yet for my covid booster yet.xxx

[Jacey15]

I had both on Thursday with no side affects from either. They did them in opposite arms.

[Wangpaupau in reply to Jacey15]

Good that you have had both with no s/e. Were you given a different vaccine to your 1st&2nd covid vacc?

[Jacey15 in reply to Wangpaupau]

I've had Pfizer for all. They were giving everyone Pfizer for the booster no matter what you had initially on Thursday.

[StormySeas]

Don’t know about flu jab. Re effects: I had Pfizer 3rd vaccine, after AZ for 1 and 2. Arm was very painful and felt pretty ropey for 24 hours then fine. (I had reactions to AZ as well)

[Ferret18]

Pfizer for all 3 of my vaccines. GP surgery not sent details of flu jab yet, so still waiting.

[oldtimer]

Th reason for doing them in different arms is the local reaction to the jab - pain local swelling and redness which some (most?) people get.

[Paula-C]

I've been trying to find out if the flu vaccination relies on your immune system to create antibodies like the covid one does. If it does in my opinion it's not a good idea to have them together because of being on immune suppressants. I was listening yesterday to a virologist on my local radio station answering a question from someone who was having covid booster, flu vaccination and shingles vaccination one after the other. He replied something along the lines that our immune system will pick up all the various vaccines and work accordingly, referring to when children have a lot of vaccinations together. I think I'm going to phone in and ask his opinion about people on immune suppressants.

[Wangpaupau in reply to Paula-C]

Worth asking. Opinions differ and don't really know which is the correct answer... Do keep us posted when you have called

[WillowsMother]

I had my flu jab at Boots this week, and will have my booster covid jab next week. My instinct was always to space them apart as I had an awful flare after 2nd covid jab in March so wanted to give my body an easier time with just one to deal with at a time. The nurse in Boots said they recommend at least 7 days between jabs, not because there's any medical reason you can't, but in case you have a bad reaction, then they can tell which one caused it. Makes sense to me. X

[Gnarli]

I've heard absolutely nothing about either the covid booster or the flu jab from my surgery. I'll be ringing on Monday but last year got the flu jab from Lloyds chemist and they were brilliant

[Thingybob]

I am still waiting for the call up. But Joan Collins has a photo on her social media having both at the same time in opposite arms ...she is smiling so ... On a serious note... I'm trusting that gps will advise individuals if its not advisable to have both at the same time .? 🤞

[Susiebee31]

I had my flu vaccine last Monday and my booster Pfizer jab on Friday both same arm. I’m supposed to have a third vaccine according to jvci green book as I had my last cimzia jab 7/12/20 and my first COVID jab middle of feb 2021, I then had radiotherapy for breast cancer end feb beginning of March this year and my second COVID jab 25th March as I was supposed to start rutuximab, instead I got shingles two weeks after my second COVID vaccine. I don’t think anyone knows what’s really going on so as I was getting a 3rd full dose of vaccine I’ll fight for a booster if and when it comes. Hopefully I’ll start a biologic again ASAP as my RA has come back but had a good break from the biologics. Side effects from flu vaccine, I had nausea and vomiting ( didn’t know it was a side effect till I looked it up and felt washed out the next day absolutely fine the following day, no probs at present with COVID jab.

[Barbara91351 in reply to Susiebee31]

Hi Susie. I’m curious about your shingles. I’m 71 and have RA with interstitial lung disease. I had a shingles shot when I was 60 but it was not the far more effective Shingrex. A year ago I got shingles. Now, a year later, I still battle nerve pain in my right arm. It isn’t constant pain, but does hurt several times a day. I’m convinced I had a more serious shingles case with this nerve damage because of my RA. Did you suffer from nerve pain too? Here in Southern California the weather is rarely super cold so I’m thankful for that, as I seldom catch a cold. I’ve had the Pfizer shots and my booster but not the flu shot yet. Hope you feel better soon. 🙂

[Susiebee31 in reply to Barbara91351]

Hi Barbara, I have severe RA with nodulosis, I also have nodules in my lungs but fortunately no interstitial lung disease. My hand and feet joints were badly damaged in the first year or two and I’ve had a lot of surgery. My shingles was treated with high dose of antiviral drug FAMCICLOVIR which stopped it in its tracks. I already take nortriptyline for neuropathic pain in my legs from lumbar spinal stenosis on to of that I have fentynl patches for my general pain. I haven’t suffered with any residual pain that I’m aware of. Shingles pain can be terrible my mum had it around her ribs, I’m not sure if RA makes it worse, maybe it depends on what drugs you take to dampen down your immune system. I had been on cimzia for 9 yrs till December 2020 when I had to stop it because of the breast cancer. The only RA immune modulating drug I was taking was methotrexate 15 mgms weekly.I’m feeling ok just the RA niggling but compared to when I was first diagnosed it’s annoying me, especially my shoulders.

I hope your nerve pain resolves for they can give you something for the neuropathic pain. Nortriptyline 30 mgms works really well for me.

[Jackie1947]

Last week I had flu and covid booster jabs. Obviously not in the same arm. I had no side effects as before. Pfizer whereas previously. AZ. I don’t quite understand what the worry is? From what I understand AZ is not an option.

[Molly333]

I asked my Rheumatology nurse, who was also the team vaccination advisor. She told me to have my booster and flu jab two weeks apart from each other which made sense to me. (I'm on Baricitinib).

[Wangpaupau in reply to Molly333]

Thank you Molly333. I think this is sound sensible advice and I would certainly go down this route as well. I understand some members have had their Covid Booster and Flu Jab on the same day. It's not an issue or problem which someone couldn't understand what the fuss is about... It's good and very helpful to be able to seeks advice and have discussions with members which is reassuring. I also understand that at the end of the day, we have to personally make informed choices and decisions

[Molly333]

I hope we get both soon with few or no side effects. 😊