Getting a Flu Vaccine and a COVID-19 Vaccine at the Same Time
Getting a Flu Vaccine and a COVID-19 Vaccine at the Same Time
For certain flu vaccines that might be more likely to cause symptoms where they are injected, separate arms are recommended if possible.
You can get a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same visit if you are due for both vaccines. This is an option.
What is coadministration?
Coadministration of vaccines refers to giving or getting more than one vaccine during a visit. This is common clinical practice. While there are some exceptions, many vaccines can be given at the same visit.
Why would a health care provider encourage people to get both vaccines at the same time?
Giving more than one vaccine at a visit, also called “coadministration” is common medical practice and is recommended. The idea is to get people up to date on all the vaccines they are due for at one visit. This can ensure that people get all of their vaccines, in case they are not able to return visit for additional vaccinations at a later time.
Can flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines be coadministered?
Yes, flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same visit if you are due for both vaccines.
Is it safe to get a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time?
Studies conducted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic indicate that it is safe to get both a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same visit. A CDC study published this summer showed people who got a flu vaccine and an mRNA COVID-19 booster vaccine at the same time were slightly more likely (8% to 11%) to have reactions including fatigue, headache, and muscle ache than people who only got a COVID-19 mRNA booster vaccine, but these reactions were mostly mild and went away quickly. The findings of this study are consistent with safety data from clinical trials that did not find any safety concerns with giving both vaccines at the same time.
Why should I get a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same visit?
Getting both vaccines at the same time if you are due for both is an option for consumers. Some people might prefer to get their vaccines at one time. This might be more convenient than having two separate visits.
If I get both vaccines at the same visit, where should I get them?
CDC has guidance for health care providers on giving more than one vaccine at the same visit. For flu and COVID-19 vaccines, you can either get both vaccines in the same arm (at least an inch apart), or you can get them in different arms. Either is okay. The high-dose (Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent) or adjuvanted flu vaccine (Fluad Quadrivalent) may be more likely to cause side effects compared to standard dose flu vaccines. You may want to get these high-dose flu vaccines in different arms than the arm receiving a COVID-19 vaccine to reduce side effects in one arm.
If I decide to wait between getting my flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine, is there a recommended waiting time between vaccines?
No, there’s no recommended waiting time between getting a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine.
October is Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month
Sudden Cardiac Arrest: What It Is and What To Do
A leading cause of death in the United States, sudden cardiac arrest claims the lives of more than 356,000 people each year. This includes 23,000 youth under the age of 18. It is a life-threatening health emergency in which the heart suddenly stops beating, and it can occur in people of any age, including those who appear to be otherwise in good health.
When a person goes into cardiac arrest, they collapse and do not respond or breathe normally. They may also gasp or shake, similarly to a seizure. It is critical that the person gets help immediately, as it can lead to death within minutes. With October being Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Month, we want to help raise awareness and explain what it is and what you can do when someone experiences this medical emergency.
What is sudden cardiac arrest?
As previously mentioned, sudden cardiac arrest is a health emergency in which the heart suddenly stops beating. It is life-threatening, and survival depends on people nearby calling 911, as well as starting CPR and using an AED (if available) as soon as possible. An AED (automated external defibrillator) is a portable, electronic device that is used to help someone who is experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. It analyzes the heart’s rhythm and can deliver an electrical shock to help the heart re-establish an effective rhythm.
Is it the same as a heart attack?
Sudden cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. A heart attack is a blockage in coronary arteries that interrupts blood flow to the heart. The website stopcardiacarrest.org does a great job of explaining the differences between a heart attack and sudden cardiac arrest. It describes sudden cardiac arrest as being electrical and a heart attack as being plumbing.
To summarize the differences between the two, someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest is unresponsive and not breathing, and they may gasp or shake. It can happen to anyone of any age, and people nearby must start CPR immediately to increase the likelihood of survival.
In contrast, someone experiencing a heart attack may experience pain in their chest, neck, or left arm. They may also experience shortness of breath, sweating, or nausea. A heart attack most often occurs in people over the age of 65, and responsive victims do not need CPR.
However, you should call 911 for someone experiencing either.
What should I do?
Cardiac arrest happens suddenly so it’s important that you know what to do so you can act quickly if you are nearby when it occurs. So what do you do when someone is suddenly unresponsive and breathing abnormally or gasping for air? According to the American Heart Association, here is what you should do:
- Ensure the scene is safe.
- Check for a response. Sudden cardiac arrest victims do not respond when you tap them or ask if they are ok.
- Shout for help. If someone is nearby, tell them to call 911 and bring an AED as quickly as possible (if one is available). If you are alone, call 911 and find an AED (if one is available).
- Check to see if they are breathing. Abnormal breathing or only gasping for air is a sign of cardiac arrest.
- Start CPR. If the person is not breathing or is gasping for air, begin CPR right away. Push down at least two inches in the center of their chest at a rate of 100 to 120 pushes a minute. Allow the chest to come back up to its normal position after each push.
- Use an AED. Anyone can use an AED. Turn it on as soon as it arrives and follow the prompts.
- Continue CPR. Continue to administer CPR until the person begins to breathe or until someone with more advanced training arrives to take over.
Trick-or Treat Safety Tips
Safety tips for trick-or-treaters and parents:
*Trick or treat only during the suggested timeframe
*Only visit familiar, well-lit neighborhoods and homes that have their porch lights on.
*Walk on the sidewalk and observe all traffic laws.
*Parents should inspect children’s candy before they eat any. If anything is unwrapped or looks suspicious, throw it away.
*Make sure trick-or-treaters have a flashlight and are wearing costumes that do not restrict their vision, could cause them to trip, are flame retardant and are light colored and visible. Consider placing reflective tape on costumes or treat bags.
*Don’t run! Walk.
*Never go into a stranger’s home.
*Always trick or treat with an adult.
*Notify police of any suspicious activity.
Safety Tips for Homeowners:
*Only hand out commercially wrapped candy.
*Only turn your porch light on if you welcome trick-or-treaters.
*Secure pets.
Safety Tips for Motorists:
*Drive slowly and be aware of children who could dart in and out of traffic or between parked cars.
*Avoid distractions, like using your cell phone or listening to loud music, which affect your ability to see or hear children.
*NEVER drink and drive.
Red Ribbon Week October 23-31, 2022
Red Ribbon Week October 23-31, 2022:
What is Red Ribbon Week?
*It is an ideal way for people and communities to unite and take a visible stand against drugs. Show your commitment to a drug-free lifestyle through the symbol of the Red Ribbon, October 23-311st. The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign is to present a unified and visible commitment towards the creation of a drug-free America.
Did you know?
* Children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those who don’t; yet, only a quarter of teens report having these conversations.
* Red Ribbon Week (October 23-31), the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the nation, is your opportunity to get the ongoing conversation started.
*This year’s theme is CELEBRATE LIFE. LIVE DRUG FREE. visit www.redribbon.org to learn more about Red Ribbon Week and get tips for talking to your kids about drugs. The life you save may be that of your own child or dear friend.
Join Doddridge County Health Department in “Pink & Pearl” on November 4, 2022
Join Doddridge County Health Department in “Pink and Pearl” on November 4, 2022 in honor of Breast Cancer/Lung Cancer Awareness month. Pink is routinely associated with breast cancer, the most diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in West Virginia. Pearl represents lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths of both men and women in West Virginia.
We invite you to commemorate the day on social media by posting pictures of your staff, family, friends, and community members wearing pink and pearls to bring awareness to this campaign. Post them on your preferred social media platform with the hashtags #WVPinkandPearl and #WVPinkandPearlMyWhy, or share on our Facebook page.
