topic Re: Flu shot season in Community Chat

Flu shot season

Duckncover — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 16:08:17 GMT

My dr sent a reminder to his patients to get their flu shot now as the flu season is almost here. I am also hearing we may need a booster for the Covid vaccine. The pharmacy where I normally get my flu shot doesn't have any flu vaccine and doesn't expect any until mid-to-late September. I would be leery of getting both of these shots within a short time of each other. What do you think?

Re: Flu shot season

deepwaterdotter — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 16:25:42 GMT

I will be following my primary physician's directives. And wearing a mask to try to minimize airborne transmissions.

Re: Flu shot season

NEvans2 — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 16:17:38 GMT

I will get they yearly flu shot when it becomes available. I'm not too concerned about getting the two close together. It seems like the CDC is still up in the air about who while be eligible for the booster. By the time the booster is a sure thing it should be well past when I get my yearly flu shot.

Re: Flu shot season

Duckncover — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 16:18:42 GMT

Hard to do when the flu vaccine isn't available yet,

Re: Flu shot season

Kalli — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 16:22:24 GMT

I agree that advice from your primary care dr would be best. I've never had a reaction to the flu shot and didn't have much of anything after both Covid shots. Still I think I'd space them out by a week or 2 but I'm not a healthcare professional.

I taught for 30 years in 2nd gr and got the flu once in all that time. I did get several colds each year. The only reason I started getting the flu shot was because after I retired I was helping take care of my elderly parents. Now with Covid still around, I'll likely keep getting that yearly flu shot.

Re: Flu shot season

qualitygal — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 16:22:56 GMT

Call your doctor for the proceedure he thinks you should follow. He can check your med's and he'll know what's best for you on the path you should follow.

Re: Flu shot season

Duckncover — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 16:30:29 GMT

I saw Dr Hoge, a researcher from the company that makes Moderna, on a news show this morning. He said a booster will prob be needed to get us through the winter months when cold and flu season arrives. Latest independent data shows Pfizer vaccine at 45% efficacy at 6 months and 75% for Moderna. The Moderna number will likely drop within the next few months as the Pfizer has. The one dose J&J vaccine data was not mentioned in the report. He also recommended everyone who normally gets a flu shot to do the same at the earliest opportunity. So far, have not seen any signs promoting flu shots at any of the usual places. My dr. doesn't have the vaccine and usually doesn't carry it. DH's dr doesn't usually carry it either. Hopefully, it will be made available soon.

Re: Flu shot season

CelticCrafter — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 16:49:55 GMT

I got an email from Walgreens about it.

Personally, it's way too early for us. The earliest we go is October.

I heard yesterday they want to mix the flu shot and covid together.

If they do, we are out and won't be getting it.

Re: Flu shot season

gidgetgh — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 17:21:09 GMT

I'll definitely be getting the flu shot. I think I usually get mine in September. Publix always offers a free $10 gift card if you get the flu shot. I'm a cheap date. $10 works for me.

And when it's Moderna booster time, I'll do that also.

Re: Flu shot season

Kachina624 — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 17:24:42 GMT

@Duckncover Sorry, but I don't see the point in reminding people to get a vaccination that isn't even available. If one received the shot in early September, by the height of the season in February, it's effectiveness would be reduced.

Re: Flu shot season

Love my grandkids — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 18:01:36 GMT

@Duckncover There are restrictions as to who can get the booster. The info is widely available.

Re: Flu shot season

catter70 — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 18:18:04 GMT

I get mine usually in Oct.

Re: Flu shot season

On It — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 18:49:07 GMT

I never miss the flu shot. We usually get ours in late September or early October. No scientific proof to offer but I think it helps prevent some colds. I was concerned about the COVID vaccine booster and the flu shots. After a quick search, I saw the general recommendation was 2 weeks between the two vaccines. Since I had quite a reaction, I will probably wait 3 weeks to be safe but prioritize COVID.

Re: Flu shot season

Porcelain — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 18:54:19 GMT

@On It wrote:
I never miss the flu shot. We usually get ours in late September or early October. No scientific proof to offer but I think it helps prevent some colds. I was concerned about the COVID vaccine booster and the flu shots. After a quick search, I saw the general recommendation was 2 weeks between the two vaccines. Since I had quite a reaction, I will probably wait 3 weeks to be safe but prioritize COVID.

I wonder whether it would be better to do the flu shot before or after the Covid booster. Probably before, I'm guessing?

Re: Flu shot season

teganslaw — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 18:56:37 GMT

Covid booster shots are ONLY for people who are immunocompromised: transplants, had cancer treatments, rare diseases, etc. They are NOT as yet for the general population. So most people won't be eligible. Check with your health provider to be sure.

I usually get a flu shot in October. I was told that it's not as effective if taken too early.

Re: Flu shot season

Cakers3 — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 19:01:28 GMT

We get our flu shots in October.

August seems too early and I haven't seen anything indicating that the flu shots are ready. Usually the flu shots start to roll out in September.

Re: Flu shot season

agb80 — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 19:03:14 GMT

Moderna's booster shot available later this year will include a flu shot in their injection. Since we were given Moderna, we will wait and see although not sure if the booster will be recommended for us; if not, we'll get a flu shot.

Re: Flu shot season

On It — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 19:09:06 GMT

@Porcelain This is a big question mark. I have not investigated the flu shot's availability. I would expect the flu vaccine to be available first. The only timeline I have heard for the COVID booster is fall.

Edited to include post above information: If Moderna can mix the two, one stop shot. Problem solved!

Re: Flu shot season

NickNack — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 19:10:19 GMT

@Duckncover The CDC website recommends getting the flu shot in late September or October. They say to get it before October 30th. They also say August is too early to get it, because the effectiveness will wane by the time flu season hits.

Re: Flu shot season

Porcelain — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 19:49:03 GMT

Currently a third Covid shot (sometimes improperly referred to as a booster shot, but it's really just an additional original shot) is only recommended and available for immunocompromised people.

An actual booster shot is expected for the general population in the fall to help us fight Delta and any other variants circulating by then.