Is it wise to have flu jab and covid booster vacc... - PMRGCAuk

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Is it wise to have flu jab and covid booster vaccination together?

Reddev profile image
34 Replies

Have been invited by GP to have flu jab and In the letter it says ‘’may also be offered a covid booster at the same time’’

Personally I’m against having both together. Not sure why!!! But anxiety could be the main reason. My head is telling me it’s not safe.

Looking for some advice from the knowledgeable people on this wonderful site.

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Reddev profile image
Reddev
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34 Replies
SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane

Look what they give to tiny babies altogether. This may contribute to the autoimmune diseases we face in adult life. Just an unscientific theory. I know what you mean.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

This is info from BHF website -

Will the booster vaccine be given at the same time as the flu jab?

The flu jab and Covid-19 booster vaccine could be offered at the same appointment. The medicines regulator the MHRA has reviewed the evidence and considered that it is safe to do so. In some cases they may be given separately for logistical reasons.

This year it’s extra important to get your flu jab if you’re offered one. There are concerns that flu levels could be very high this winter. Thanks to social distancing and other measures taken to stop the spread of Covid-19, flu levels were extremely low last winter. As a result, it’s expected people will have a lower level of immunity against the flu this winter. Precautions such as washing your hands can limit the spread of many infectious diseases, including flu.

Will I get a Covid booster vaccine every year?

The current advice on boosters is for the coming months. The situation will be kept under review, depending on what happens with Covid-19. It’s possible that a Covid booster jab will be offered every year, like the flu jab.

From another source-

MHRA chief executive Dr June Raine added that the regulator had found that 'giving the booster jabs with flu jabs at the same time is safe'.

A JCVI statement said: 'The ComFluCOV trial indicates that co-administration of the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines is generally well tolerated with no reduction in immune response to either vaccine. Therefore, the two vaccines may be co-administered where operationally practical.'

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toDorsetLady

One is left to wonder how many immunocompromised people were included in the trials ...

I thought it had been decided there should be at least a week between - or is that somewhere else? Who knows, brain fade ...

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply toPMRpro

Good question…..too many studies , info, about turns and general waffle to keep up with things - even if you haven’t got brain fade😳

Predderman2020 profile image
Predderman2020 in reply toDorsetLady

Agree. They have had more than 100 years to decide the efficacity of face coverings, yet experts still equivocate.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toPredderman2020

Experts equivocate on almost everything! However - some of the techniques used to demonstrate the value of face coverings have only been available for the last few years ...

Coffeebeans profile image
Coffeebeans in reply toPMRpro

I had the third covid dose last Saturday and they told me to wait 1 week before getting other vaccinations.

agingfeminist profile image
agingfeminist in reply toCoffeebeans

One reason for separating the vaccinations is to make it possible to identify whether either vaccination causes a side effect. If you take both together and you get a reaction no one knows which caused the problem. We are in unknown immunological territory - makes sense to separate them, even by only a week.

Reddev profile image
Reddev in reply toCoffeebeans

Thank you. Seems no one knows what is the best thing to do.

Nightingales profile image
Nightingales in reply toPMRpro

I was turned down for the trial because I was on prednisone. So not many I would think, unless they had enough like me. There does seem to be more attention being paid to third jabs for us immunocompromised.

Reddev profile image
Reddev in reply toDorsetLady

Thank you.

2013mayo profile image
2013mayo

Hi,

If they offered it to me I’d have both, saves going back again, I think they give it in each arm.

Xx

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to2013mayo

Is that so you have two sore arms for the price of one? ;)

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply toPMRpro

Yep!

borednow profile image
borednow in reply toPMRpro

My arms are full

cycli profile image
cycli in reply to2013mayo

same body, so how do you differentiate the effect of either?. I've just had flu jab. was marginally noticeable for 3 hrs but no issues otherwise. booster is imminent but not available yet. our practice is on the ball I think.

Telian profile image
Telian in reply to2013mayo

I can only use one arm for jabs bp checks and bloods so looks like mine will be separated- problem solved.

2013mayo profile image
2013mayo

Brilliant! 😀

Reddev profile image
Reddev

Thank you to everyone that replied to my question. Will probably end up having both injections together.

Pixix profile image
Pixix

Lucky you is my response! I think we’d all like that! The deliveries have not arrived on time at my surgery & it’s all cancelled!

Exflex profile image
Exflex

Although multivalent vaccines have been in use for some time (read quite long), eg MMR, here we’re talking of a multivalent vaccine for the elderly (it tends to be the older age group who develop PMR). Assuming one can get the flu vaccine in spite of the haulage situation (I’ve received a text notifying mine, due this w/e, has been cancelled) for the over 65s it’s adjuvanted causing the innate immune system to get kicked. Also to receive the booster Covid jab a time lapse of at least 6 months from the 2nd jab is required. If the stars align you could receive a cocktail of flu, Cv-19 and the adjuvant. If any, the component that could upset PMR could well be the adjuvant, but saying that I had the adjuvanted flu jab last year and was fine.

Reddev profile image
Reddev in reply toExflex

Thank you. I’ve had to look up some of the words you mentioned. Adjuvant and multivalent ….Nothing ever simple. I don’t mind having them just not together. Thank you for your reply.

cycli profile image
cycli in reply toReddev

The flu vaccine not a live vaccine so ok. I think an interval of a week or two is the most sensible course. Just my opinion.

Koalajane profile image
Koalajane

I am not due for my booster until November but hope to get my flu jab well before then

Bcol profile image
Bcol

OH get's her flu jab on Monday but not in 6 month window so unlikely to be an option for her, I'm booked in for flu jab in 8 days and will be eligible for for the booster. Surgery is normally very on the ball, so although it's not been mentioned I wouldn't be surprised if they offered it to me. No reaction to previous flu or Covid jabs, so knowing me, I'd probably say yes unless discussion with the nurse suggested otherwise.

Reddev profile image
Reddev in reply toBcol

Thank you. It would seem most people would take two together. I have an irrational fear …. Many years ago I had an out of the body experience when given an IV infusion for anaemia ( I was pregnant at the time) so when it comes to something injected in my body …. Anxiety sets in.

Bcol profile image
Bcol in reply toReddev

There is nothing irrational about fear if it affects you, it doesn't matter what it does to others, its what it does to you that's important. If having both jabs at the same time feels wrong to you then don't have them, have them individually at a time you feel happy with. There will, I suspect be many others who don't like the idea, probably sensibly, doing the same thing and wanting a gap in between. Certainly if I had had any reaction to the previous jabs I would think long and hard about whether to these two at the same time. Go with what makes you feel safe and comfortable. 🙂

Reddev profile image
Reddev in reply toBcol

Thank you. It helps to know there are understanding people out there.

pmr_nikola profile image
pmr_nikola

I would NEVER take two vaccines at the same time, especially with compromised immune system. Each vaccine is a challenge for our weakened immune system, so why double the load? To me this question is similar to asking yourself if you think is it easier to have flu or Covid-19 separately or both at the same time.

Reddev profile image
Reddev in reply topmr_nikola

Thank you. It makes sense when you think about it. I will now have them separately.

Blossom20 profile image
Blossom20

Brilliant analogy, well said. Sounds like madness to me when our immune systems are already confused. There are many posts about people getting Pmr after a jab, so double whammy doesn't seem sensible (except to the people administering it because it makes it easier than calling people for separate jabs).

Predderman2020 profile image
Predderman2020 in reply toBlossom20

I had severe recurrence of PMR after AZ jabs for 7 weeks each time. I hope Pfizer is better tolerated. In any case, I will separate flu and booster. Thank you, all.

Myosotis profile image
Myosotis

My husband got his letter to have both, so I went along with him. They were happy to give me my flu one at the same time although I wasn't booked for it. Now I've had my letter, so will hopefully get my covid jab exactly 2 weeks after the flu one. Perfect!

Reddev profile image
Reddev in reply toMyosotis

After thinking long and hard about having both together I did eventually have them both. One in each arm. Apart from the usual sore arm I have been fine. I had them 10 days ago. I have just reduced to 5.5 mgs of pred so hope my immune system has improved.

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