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It is safe to have an influenza vaccine at the same time as a second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to a study.
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The coadministration of the two vaccines did not affect the immune response.
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Only a few people reported mild side effects, such as fatigue or soreness at the injection site.
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The United Kingdom’s National Health System (NHS) says that the results show that people have nothing to worry about if both appointments fall on the same day.
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Having appointments for both vaccines at the same time could also lessen the administrative burden on the healthcare system.
The U.K., like many countries around the world, saw an almost nonexistent flu season last year, largely owing to lockdowns, physical distancing, and mask wearing.
However, this year, several reports suggest that we may see a rise in respiratory tract infections compared with 2020.
Some experts have also expressed fears about a “twindemic” of flu and COVID-19, which has strengthened calls for vaccination against both.
From September, the U.K. said it would offer more than 35 million people free influenza vaccines in what politicians are calling the most comprehensive flu program in the country’s history.
This year, the rollout also coincides with more people getting second doses or boosters of the COVID-19 vaccine.
This timing means that many people may have overlapping appointments for both vaccines. Some people may be worried about having them on the same day, but are such concerns valid?
The Combining Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccination (ComFluCOV) study in the U.K. investigated the coadministration of these vaccines to check whether it was safe. The Lancet has published the findings as a preprint.