I want both, but I postpone flu vax until flu cases start to rise definitively in our area, and I typically get my COVID booster two weeks before Thanksgiving, to maximize protection over the holidays.
For those who may be concerned combing the "flu" & "Covid" vaccines would (should) have no impact on the immunological response to either.
My apology (albeit others have said it) our body’s immune system, efficiently defends us on multiple fronts ever day.
Children receive regular immunizations (recommended & scheduled) that contain several vaccines in a single injections e.g. Pentacel (DTaP/Hib/IPV) 2-4-6 mo's and Pediarix {DTaP, hep B, IPV} given @ 2-4-6 mo's
Trouble is that in my community (Big Bend tri-county area of the Trans-Pecos region), prevalence and word of the prevalence may be separated by substantial time.
Re item 2: Oh dear! I've never had much of a reaction to covid vaccine shots (either Pfizer or Moderna). Does that suggest that it might make sense to try the Novavax alternative?
Re the poll: I want both, but would like to know more about the combined version. And the question about the enhanced version of the flu vaccine for older folks is a good one.
Ah, don’t worry. Just because you have milder reaction doesn’t mean the vaccine is not adequate! It’s just that for those (like me) who suffer a bit more, there’s at least an upside.
Re 2: I've never had much of a reaction to the COVID vaccine either besides a red bump (and one time it really itched.) I wonder what that does mean for those of us who don't have bad reactions.
The Poll: I too need more information. I have received both the COVID vaccine and the flu vaccine at the same time in different arms. I guess my question is, I want to know if the combined vaccine is just as effective as getting both separately.
I would like them to be offered separately so that I could make the choice to get Covid only. After 2 very negative reactions to flu vaccines in my late 40s-early 50s (7+ days of flu-like illness, yes, I know you can’t get the flu from the vaccine so, one hell of a coincidence-twice), I do not get the flu vaccine (and have not gotten the flu either). I do get and have maintained Pnumovax since my 40s. I’m about to turn 60 with zero underlying health issues. I got the first Covid vaccine (2 doses) as soon as I was eligible and then 3 boosters for a total of 5 shots (Pf, Pf, Md, Md Pf). Last dose was November ‘22. My reactions to each dose were progressively worse with the last one being flu like with incapacitating excruciating bone pain lasting 3 days. I test regularly to protect others just to be sure because I have year round nasal allergies which often cause sore throat. I have still never tested positive for Covid despite multiple known exposures over the years. If they are not offered separately, it is highly unlikely I would choose to be vaccinated, unless a very scary new mutation develops.
This is the Phm & travel health counselor chiming in... occupational hazard :)
Curious as to "maintained" Pneumovax since your 40's? Yet you offer no underlying health issues. Prevnar-13 has only become available recently & for the most part supplanted by Prevnar-20. As such you may have received Pneumovax-23 which unlike the Prevnar formate the former is a polysaccharide vaccine that results in a hyporesponse upon subsequent administrative (less bag for the buck...double entendre, immunity & finacial).
It is for this reason it's only given a 2nd time for select individuals.
There has been no harm in receiving multiple Pneumovax-23 ( 5 yr interval ?), however the benefits were diminished. In addition, the need for bacterial pneumococcal prophylaxis is (once again) generally not required until our 6th decade.
I'm taking a chance commenting (respectfully) due to yr's practicing as a Phm's, hoping to educate the public & always being frugal with their money.
Good question. I was misdiagnosed with asthma in my 40s which was only discovered a few years ago(allergy dr diagnosis, ultimately refuted by pulmonologist). I only mentioned it because pneumonia is, as I understand it, the complication of most concern with influenza. My current internist does not recommend considering any pneumonia vaccine prior to my 65th birthday.
Hmmm. With each successive vaccination, I've had less side effects. The first one, Pfizer, produced sore arm and feeling unwell and maybe tiredness. The second one, about two weeks later, I think was a little less. However by shot number 8 (oh my has it been that many??), I didn't even feel the injection and maybe 12 hours later I felt something in my arm. My next level of defense is to emulate "bubble boy" and have the cast from Jerry Seinfeld's TV series visit!
I only responded with "both at once" because I read that the study also showed higher antibodies resulted with the "combined" vaccine than with 2 separate vaccines. I've typically always gotten the 2 vaccines separately, and separated by at least a few weeks, thinking that the opposite would be the case.
As one of the over 65 demographic I need to split the vaccines to get the adjuvated or double dose flu vaccine. I remain conscientious with my vaccines (including TDAP) as I have had a cousin who died of influenza (who was immune compromised) and a friend who lost his granddaughter at age 6 (who was apparently normal immunologically and vaccinated). Influenza remains a serious threat with similar long term sequelae concerns to Covid.
I have know a few people who got multiple vaccines at the same time and had adverse side effects including Guillain–Barré in one case. There is no way to know if that was the combo or something else but for me I will not combine any vaccinations during the same week. It is easy enough for me to make multiple trips. If multiple trips keeps you from getting both then maybe you can take the risk of both at the same time.
I am not vaccine adverse but I try to avoid problems when I can and take them separately.
An old Govenor of KY once said "Minor surgery is always on somebody else". To paraphrase "If I am the one in 1,000 that gets the rare side effect then it is NOT rare for me".
I want them both and I try to time them accordingly with illness prevalence (teacher). Possible topic? Are there any studies as to why some are getting multiple rounds of Covid? I feel in my case I can trace at least two to school. Thankfully we have not shared with family members, but that is strange to me as we are around each other before we know we are contagious? I haven’t had a vaccine in a year as I just had Covid and was due to get vaccine. Going to wait until the fall as of today.
I'm bummed about #2. Never had any reaction at all to Moderna, Pfizer, or Novavax (six doses totaL among the three), not even a sore arm. I wonder if they're really providing me any protection now.
Do the anti inflammatory properties of Zepbound or Monjauro improve MCAS? Is Zepbound safe for MCAS patients and being prescribed to help with lowering inflammation etc.?
I think people with MCAS and allergies or sensitivity in general may prefer separate covid and flu vaccines to have the choice to vaccinate 2-3 months apart. Also people with Long Covid or autoimmune issues may want separate vaccines readily available.
I want both, but I postpone flu vax until flu cases start to rise definitively in our area, and I typically get my COVID booster two weeks before Thanksgiving, to maximize protection over the holidays.
This is what I recommend to those who can reliably time it!
For those who may be concerned combing the "flu" & "Covid" vaccines would (should) have no impact on the immunological response to either.
My apology (albeit others have said it) our body’s immune system, efficiently defends us on multiple fronts ever day.
Children receive regular immunizations (recommended & scheduled) that contain several vaccines in a single injections e.g. Pentacel (DTaP/Hib/IPV) 2-4-6 mo's and Pediarix {DTaP, hep B, IPV} given @ 2-4-6 mo's
Warm regards, JJF
Thank you!!
I want both the Covid and flu vaccines, but I want to time each according to info about prevalence in my community.
Such a good point! CDC doesn’t recommend timing things because they worry people won’t get around to it…
Trouble is that in my community (Big Bend tri-county area of the Trans-Pecos region), prevalence and word of the prevalence may be separated by substantial time.
Re item 2: Oh dear! I've never had much of a reaction to covid vaccine shots (either Pfizer or Moderna). Does that suggest that it might make sense to try the Novavax alternative?
Re the poll: I want both, but would like to know more about the combined version. And the question about the enhanced version of the flu vaccine for older folks is a good one.
Ah, don’t worry. Just because you have milder reaction doesn’t mean the vaccine is not adequate! It’s just that for those (like me) who suffer a bit more, there’s at least an upside.
JL- exactly my thoughts on both topics.
Re 2: I've never had much of a reaction to the COVID vaccine either besides a red bump (and one time it really itched.) I wonder what that does mean for those of us who don't have bad reactions.
The Poll: I too need more information. I have received both the COVID vaccine and the flu vaccine at the same time in different arms. I guess my question is, I want to know if the combined vaccine is just as effective as getting both separately.
I’m sure we’ll get data well before they release it to the public. Good q!
As above, I don’t think a lack of a reaction means the dose was inadequate.
Thank you for the link to Dr. Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz piece. The report and headlines looked like BS, but I was waiting for this type of analysis.
Gideon is one of my go-to experts.
He’s rigorous and kind.
I would like them to be offered separately so that I could make the choice to get Covid only. After 2 very negative reactions to flu vaccines in my late 40s-early 50s (7+ days of flu-like illness, yes, I know you can’t get the flu from the vaccine so, one hell of a coincidence-twice), I do not get the flu vaccine (and have not gotten the flu either). I do get and have maintained Pnumovax since my 40s. I’m about to turn 60 with zero underlying health issues. I got the first Covid vaccine (2 doses) as soon as I was eligible and then 3 boosters for a total of 5 shots (Pf, Pf, Md, Md Pf). Last dose was November ‘22. My reactions to each dose were progressively worse with the last one being flu like with incapacitating excruciating bone pain lasting 3 days. I test regularly to protect others just to be sure because I have year round nasal allergies which often cause sore throat. I have still never tested positive for Covid despite multiple known exposures over the years. If they are not offered separately, it is highly unlikely I would choose to be vaccinated, unless a very scary new mutation develops.
C.C. you can say mind your own BW...bees wax
This is the Phm & travel health counselor chiming in... occupational hazard :)
Curious as to "maintained" Pneumovax since your 40's? Yet you offer no underlying health issues. Prevnar-13 has only become available recently & for the most part supplanted by Prevnar-20. As such you may have received Pneumovax-23 which unlike the Prevnar formate the former is a polysaccharide vaccine that results in a hyporesponse upon subsequent administrative (less bag for the buck...double entendre, immunity & finacial).
It is for this reason it's only given a 2nd time for select individuals.
There has been no harm in receiving multiple Pneumovax-23 ( 5 yr interval ?), however the benefits were diminished. In addition, the need for bacterial pneumococcal prophylaxis is (once again) generally not required until our 6th decade.
I'm taking a chance commenting (respectfully) due to yr's practicing as a Phm's, hoping to educate the public & always being frugal with their money.
Warm regards, John
Good question. I was misdiagnosed with asthma in my 40s which was only discovered a few years ago(allergy dr diagnosis, ultimately refuted by pulmonologist). I only mentioned it because pneumonia is, as I understand it, the complication of most concern with influenza. My current internist does not recommend considering any pneumonia vaccine prior to my 65th birthday.
I assume the Moderna “two in one” vaccine does not accommodate the “super flu” preparation recommended for people over 75?
Are you referring to the sanofi vaccine?
Oops not apology (auto-correction) analogy
You can edit posts here using the ellipsis on the right side, I recently discovered 😊
Hmmm. With each successive vaccination, I've had less side effects. The first one, Pfizer, produced sore arm and feeling unwell and maybe tiredness. The second one, about two weeks later, I think was a little less. However by shot number 8 (oh my has it been that many??), I didn't even feel the injection and maybe 12 hours later I felt something in my arm. My next level of defense is to emulate "bubble boy" and have the cast from Jerry Seinfeld's TV series visit!
Haha that may be extreme.
Also…. MOOPS!!!
I only responded with "both at once" because I read that the study also showed higher antibodies resulted with the "combined" vaccine than with 2 separate vaccines. I've typically always gotten the 2 vaccines separately, and separated by at least a few weeks, thinking that the opposite would be the case.
As one of the over 65 demographic I need to split the vaccines to get the adjuvated or double dose flu vaccine. I remain conscientious with my vaccines (including TDAP) as I have had a cousin who died of influenza (who was immune compromised) and a friend who lost his granddaughter at age 6 (who was apparently normal immunologically and vaccinated). Influenza remains a serious threat with similar long term sequelae concerns to Covid.
I have know a few people who got multiple vaccines at the same time and had adverse side effects including Guillain–Barré in one case. There is no way to know if that was the combo or something else but for me I will not combine any vaccinations during the same week. It is easy enough for me to make multiple trips. If multiple trips keeps you from getting both then maybe you can take the risk of both at the same time.
I am not vaccine adverse but I try to avoid problems when I can and take them separately.
An old Govenor of KY once said "Minor surgery is always on somebody else". To paraphrase "If I am the one in 1,000 that gets the rare side effect then it is NOT rare for me".
I want them both and I try to time them accordingly with illness prevalence (teacher). Possible topic? Are there any studies as to why some are getting multiple rounds of Covid? I feel in my case I can trace at least two to school. Thankfully we have not shared with family members, but that is strange to me as we are around each other before we know we are contagious? I haven’t had a vaccine in a year as I just had Covid and was due to get vaccine. Going to wait until the fall as of today.
I'm bummed about #2. Never had any reaction at all to Moderna, Pfizer, or Novavax (six doses totaL among the three), not even a sore arm. I wonder if they're really providing me any protection now.
As per above, fear not! It’s fine to not have worse symptoms. Vaccine still works
Do the anti inflammatory properties of Zepbound or Monjauro improve MCAS? Is Zepbound safe for MCAS patients and being prescribed to help with lowering inflammation etc.?
I think people with MCAS and allergies or sensitivity in general may prefer separate covid and flu vaccines to have the choice to vaccinate 2-3 months apart. Also people with Long Covid or autoimmune issues may want separate vaccines readily available.
This is one area where I have no clue!
(Re: MCAS). And re autoimmune issues, I’d defer to your specialist