Should I Consider Getting Vaccinated for COVID-19 and the Flu at the Same Time?

November 16, 2021

Should I Consider Getting Vaccinated for COVID-19 and the Flu at the Same Time?- AFC Urgent Care

It’s safe to do so! Even though your arm or both arms might be pretty sore, the CDC has deemed it safe to get both vaccines at the same time.

Read on as our AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah team provides further helpful info on these vaccines below!

Is It OK to Get Both Vaccines at the Same Time?

Yes, it is. Since the COVID-19 vaccine is an mRNA vaccine and the flu vaccine isn’t, they won’t cause any adverse effects when given together.

Additionally, both vaccines won’t interfere with each other when received at the same time, as each vaccine unlocks a different “key.” A flu shot provides a specific key that unlocks a strengthened immune response to protect against influenza, while the COVID-19 vaccine provides a different key that unlocks a strengthened immune response to protect against COVID-19.

How to Stay Safe and Healthy During Flu Season

Get vaccinated. Getting the flu vaccine is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself from the virus.
Wash your hands often with warm, soapy water for 20 seconds.
Use hand sanitizer when handwashing isn’t an option.
Continue wearing a face mask in public.
Don’t touch your eyes, nose, and mouth until you’ve washed your hands.
Avoid crowds and close contact with those who are sick.

How Can I Tell the Difference Between COVID-19 and the Flu?

It can be tough to tell the difference between the two illnesses because of their similar symptoms. Because of this, the best way to tell the difference between the two is by getting tested. It’s also important to get tested for COVID-19 before getting a flu test, since COVID-19 is still the more uncontrolled and more contagious virus of the two.

If you don’t have access to a COVID-19 test, however, experts say that some of the tell-tale signs of COVID-19 are a loss of taste or smell and shortness of breath. We’ve listed some additional coronavirus symptoms to be on the lookout for below.