Flu jab and Covid vaccine

[maria40]

I'm due to have my flu jab (delayed as I needed a latex free jab ) on Friday and wonder whether I should cancel as I'm over 80 and therefore as far as I can understand the proposed rollout of the Covid vaccine here in the UK, I could get it in the next couple of weeks. Is a contraindication likely? I realise that there are many unknowns about the new vaccine but the medically well informed among you might be able to suggest whether there could be a conflict in having the two vaccines close together. but I do want to have the Covid vaccine as soon as I am offered it and would give it priority if there is a conflict .

[Rache]

I have read that there should be a gap of several weeks between the flu vaccine and the covid one. It depends on how soon you would be likely to be offered the covid one.

[maria40 in reply to Rache]

Thanks for that Rache; I just heard that the over 80s will be second on the list after health care workers so I assume it will be within the next couple of weeks. It was originally planned that care homes would be top of the list but the transport difficulties of temperature control and limitations on movement present problems in getting it into care homes rather than larger centres where they plan to vaccinate other groups so they've changed the priority list. I'll try to talk to the surgery tomorrow,

[Rache in reply to maria40]

Since my last reply I have read in the BBC News this morning that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) are advising a gap of one week between the two jabs. Personally I might prefer a bit more

[maria40 in reply to Rache]

Yes, I heard that and had a similar response to you; I had thought that 28 days between vaccines was the norm. Still, if they work chronologically through the over 80s - we have a very elderly population here - I doubt that I would be offered one before Christmas, which would give me three weeks minimum.

[Rache in reply to maria40]

Just read they’ve changed the order again!

theguardian.com/world/2020/...

[maria40 in reply to Rache]

That makes no sense. These are the people who will be vaccinating others and they must be protected . I'd gladly give up my place in the queue to the nurse who gave me my flu jab this morning. She's been shielding and working from home part time since contracting Covid early in the pandemic and now suffers from asthma.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to maria40]

I'm biased (my daughter is being forced to work on Covid ICU, working there isn't the problem but it is too much for her to work 12+ hour shifts of that sort because of her own health problems) but I think the staff on "hot" wards should get it first together with the care home STAFF who can travel to get it. If there is enough, give it to named visitors.

[Rache in reply to PMRpro]

Certainly agree. It’s outrageous that people in your daughter’s situation are not prioritised.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Rache]

It's bad enough they don't get proper supplies of PPE - reusing what are supposed to be disposable masks/visors is bad enough!!!

[seasider18 in reply to Rache]

They asked if I had any other injections within the past seven days. If I had they would not have done it and they told me not to have any other injections in the next seven days.

[Megams]

~Maria40 - intrigued with your comment "I needed latex free jab". Please can you explain what a latex free jab is please?Many thanks indeed~

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Megams]

A vaccine that is produced and stored in a latex-free environment. Some of the vials the flu jab came in had latex stoppers - which is enough to make them unsuitable for anyone with a latex allergy.

[Megams in reply to PMRpro]

~Most interesting PMRpro for which I say thank you as always - never knew this & the reason for my curiosity was that latex & I don't get along too well ~

[paulst955]

I doubt you will get the Corvid Jab this year taking all the care homes residents and staff first will use all the Fizer vaccine that's coming soon. There is a lot of hype in the media its going to take many months before I get it i'm 70 in march and not expecting a jab until at least April. Get the flu jab lots of people die every year from flu.

[maria40 in reply to paulst955]

It was announced last night that the over 80s would come second on the list so I don 't think it will be too long. Initially, it was thought that care home residents would be in that position but the logistics of getting the vaccine to care homes are making that difficult. I heard on the BBC this morning two experts -epidemiologists I think - recommending that there should be a week between flu and Covid vaccinations so that answered my question.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

By not having it you may find you end up having to wait a couple of months for the flu vaccine - and there is no guarantee you would be offered the Covid vaccine before the end of December. Personally I would take the flu vaccine while it is there. They were suggesting 2 weeks difference I think, I suspect there isn't enough vaccine to get to the healthy over 80s not in care homes yet.

[readingbooks]

There is a saying that 'A bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush'. The flu vaccine is available now. The flu season is here now. As far as receiving the Covid virus is concerned I think the availability schedule you mention is far too optimistic.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to readingbooks]

Especially after the news today that a batch "went off" so the deliveries are likely to be late ...

[lawli56]

I've just had my covid booster 10 days ago. Reaction was a sore arm (moderna). I'm glad I did because 3 of my friends are currently isolating after positive tests. Fortunately I hadn't been in contact as I injured my knee and wasn't able to meet up with them. Symptoms include aching limbs, headache and congested chest. I will be booking my flu jab after monday.