IS IT SAFE TO GET THE FLU SHOT AND COVID-19 VACCINE AT THE SAME TIME?  

Is it safe for my child to get the flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time?

Yes, as long as your child is eligible to get the flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine, then it is safe to administer them together.

Previously, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said it wasn’t safe for kids to get the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as other vaccines. What made them change their minds?

Initially, the CDC recommended trying to space the COVID-19 vaccine from other vaccines to decrease the expected side effects that occur after administration, because co-administration could increase the reactogenicity of the vaccines (i.e., the immune response reactions that are expected after vaccines, such as fever, chills, headache, etc.). However, given that we are in a global pandemic, the CDC decided to eliminate any unnecessary barriers to getting vaccinated.

In addition, the pandemic has led to a drop in routine vaccinations — some people stopped getting preventive care during the pandemic because they didn’t see it as essential and didn’t want to risk exposure to the coronavirus. Co-administration of vaccines allows these individuals to catch up on routine vaccinations.

Will getting the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu shot at the same time affect how well each vaccine works?

No, there is no evidence that co-administration decreases the efficacy of either vaccine.

Will getting the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine at the same time cause any unusual side effects?

While there may be a risk of increased reactogenicity with co-administration, these side effects are expected as your body builds a response. All side effects should resolve in 1-2 days.