Can You Get the Flu Shot and the COVID Shot at the Same Time? Here’s What Experts Say

The cold season is slowly approaching, and beyond the never-ending threat of the pandemic, people will also have to deal with seasonal issues such as the cold. Those who want to be protected against both have to wonder whether it is safe for their health to get the flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time. Some places even offer the Coronavirus vaccines and the flu shot at the same time, so here is the answer to the question we all have.

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Mohammed Reza has explained that recommendations changed as researches analyzed the vaccines more. Now the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that vaccines can “be administered without regard to timing”. This means that it is safe to take all the vaccines on the same day. However, according to Reza, “if you’ve had any history or reaction, talk to your provider, your clinician, and if you have any concerns, waiting that 14-day period wouldn’t do harm.”

If you plan to get both shots, one word of advice would be to get each one in a different arm, as you might experience some soreness after. “It is early in the flu season to get the flu vaccine right now, so if you’re going to get one, or the other, get the COVID-19 for the time being because we’re looking at flu season in September/October, and that flu vaccine doesn’t last all year long. If you’re going to get one, I would get the COVID-19 vaccine for sure,” Reza concluded.

A vaccine event will be organized at First Timothy Baptist Church Jacksonville this Sunday from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM for people who want to get both shots.