Can I get a flu shot if I have just been infected with COVID-19?What you need to know about winter for both viruses

The flu season has officially arrived and there are already thousands of cases of the virus in Australia.

Both COVID-19 and influenza are currently prevalent in the community, and health officials are begging people to be vaccinated against the flu to reduce the “life-threatening” risk of having both at the same time.

Here’s what you need to know to reduce your risk of getting the flu or the flu / COVID combo (called “Flurona”) this winter:

When can I get the flu vaccine after recovering from COVID-19?

Ian Mackay, a virologist at the University of Queensland, says that if you recover from the virus, you can get the vaccine, but “it’s already ignited-it’s best to wait if you still have severe symptoms so that it doesn’t ignite.” System up “.

“Therefore, the usual thing about vaccination is not to vaccinate at that particular time if you have any signs or symptoms, or if you are ill, that is, if you have a fever,” he said. ..

However, if you feel good, you can go right away.

“Once you’re feeling better and your isolation is gone, you can safely get the flu vaccine,” says Maria Boulton of AMA Queensland.

Can I get both flu and COVID-19 shots on the same day?

Yes, under the ATAGI guidelines, the previous advice was to wait, but now people can get the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine at the same time.

“”[The prior advice] I just made sure it was safe. “

“And it really needs to see what happens in different groups around the world who are vaccinated two at a time.

“We just make sure that the Australian authorities have enough data to provide the best advice.

“It is highly recommended that you get the flu shot and the booster at the same time, so that you will be as safe as possible.”

Dr. Balton says her clinic has increased the number of people who receive both vaccines together.

“There are many patients who don’t have to delay and accept both at the same time, and that’s really great because they don’t have to come back again,” she said.

Do influenza shots really work?

Dr. McKay says the most common reason people hesitate to get a flu shot is because they believe they aren’t well protected from the flu.

“We tend to think of the flu vaccine as a bit of garbage, but that’s not really true,” he said.

“If it’s a good match, it’s a really good vaccine.

He states that its effectiveness really depends on how the virus has changed or evolved by the time the flu season arrives.

“That is, we need to change the vaccine. It’s not a garbage vaccine. It’s about how much the virus has surpassed us. And because we need to predict in advance to make a flu vaccine, winter What arrives at is what we planned.

“We are not always well protected from the flu. It’s not the vaccine, it’s the fact that it’s a slippery virus.”

Dr. Bolton says there are definitely fewer people vaccinated against the flu so far this year compared to last year.

“I think people are a little tired of the vaccine, but it’s important to know that the flu can be a serious condition, especially for young babies, the elderly, people with chronic illnesses, and during pregnancy. That’s true for women in the flu, “she said.

“Our borders are open. There aren’t as many restrictions as before. So we expect the flu virus to spread again, and it can be a very serious illness for some people. The best we can do is vaccination because we know that we have sex. “

What can you expect from this flu season?

It’s been a long time since the “flu season” came. Dr. McKay says it’s important to remember that there are four main types of influenza, all of which circulate at the same time. This is another reason why it is difficult to make an absolutely reliable vaccine.