It’s time for vaccines: those against Covid and flu are often administered on the same occasion, but is this right? Who are they suitable for?
Just one doctor’s appointment, two injections, two bandaged arms: we are in the midst of the vaccination campaign against the flu and many, along with the flu vaccine, also receive the one against Covid. Is it recommended to get vaccines against Covid and flu together? Are there any contraindications? And to whom are anti-covid vaccines recommended today?
Co-administration is safe: two vaccines in the same session
The circular from the Ministry of Health with indications and recommendations on anti-covid vaccines provides for the possibility of these being administered in conjunction with other vaccines, in particular the anti-flu vaccine. Concomitant administration, in the same appointment – one vaccine in each arm – is considered safe for patients, and solves a number of “practical” needs.
It simplifies logistics for patients, who are often elderly and accompanied by caregivers, and who thus avoid having to go to clinics several times, and for operators, who save time and effort. Concomitant administration also ensures greater adherence to the vaccination campaign by the groups of people for whom the vaccines are recommended (think in particular of the over 70s or nursing home residents).
The safety of co-administration has been widely demonstrated, furthermore the practice does not reduce the immune response to either vaccine. It should be added that there is currently no evidence that the mild and temporary side effects that can occur in the 24-72 hours following vaccines (arm pain, fever, chills, swollen axillary lymph nodes, nausea, muscle pain, tiredness) are more marked for those who have received both vaccines at the same appointment.
Common objective: reduce hospitalizations and serious forms
Vaccines against influenza and Covid have the same objectives: not so much to avoid contagion, which is still possible for vaccinated people, but to avoid the risk of serious forms that require hospitalization or that lead to serious complications and mortality, especially in fragile people or in those who work in close contact with the public, in the healthcare sector and in essential services.
Vaccines against seasonal epidemic viruses, such as influenza, and vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, which instead has a less predictable trend, in waves, also protect the healthcare system, allowing hospitals and other healthcare facilities to function regularly and for all needs even in the “hottest” months of the infection.
To whom are boosters recommended for covid and flu
The annual booster dose against SARS-CoV-2 is recommended for people who have already reached the age of 60, for residents of long-term care facilities, for pregnant or breastfeeding women, for health and social care workers, medical students or other health professions; for people aged 6 months to 59 years suffering from pathologies that increase the risk of severe Covid (chronic diseases of the respiratory system, cardiovascular, neurological, endocrine, kidney, liver, blood; tumors, chronic inflammatory diseases and intestinal malabsorption syndromes, Down syndrome); for people who have undergone or are awaiting transplants, or with immunodeficiencies, and for relatives of subjects at risk.
The indications for the flu vaccine are similar, with the difference that this vaccine is also recommended for healthy children aged 6 months to 6 years, for workers in public services of primary collective interest (such as nursery and nursery school staff, transport and postal workers, law enforcement and civil protection); and for staff who work in contact with animals on farms or in their care.
