Is taking the flu vaccine worth it in the middle of a pandemic?

As the old saying goes, better be safe than sorry.

As we got used to life in a global pandemic, waiting for the moment when it all ends, we almost forgot another illness that can have severe consequences for people; influenza. While this illness seems almost innocent in comparison with Covid-19, being protected from it is not less important – writes hellomagyar.hu.

Seasonal flu can cause 4-50 million illnesses per year in the European Union, claiming 15,000-70,000 lives.

Taking the influenza vaccine can save thousands of lives, but to achieve protection, 2-3 weeks have to pass. Another important factor in taking this vaccine is that it has to be taken before seasonal influenza starts spreading. Elder people and people suffering from chronic diseases are more likely to get the flu, but pregnant women and children, healthcare professionals and people who often get into contact with others, and those who frequently travel abroad are advised to take precautions.

But how does one know if they got covid or have the flu?

According to my.clevelandclinic.org, the flu symptoms are sudden onset of moderate to high fever, dry cough, headache, sore throat, chills, runny nose, loss of appetite, muscle aches and tiredness. Per information found on canada.ca, symptoms of the coronavirus are the following: new or worsening cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, temperature equal to or more than 38°C, feeling feverish, chills, fatigue or weakness, muscle or body aches, loss of smell or taste, headache, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting and feeling very unwell.

Can people take both vaccines at the same time?

On cdc.gov, some of the most critical questions about vaccines are answered. September and October are good times to be vaccinated against the flu, and everyone should be vaccinated by the end of October. According to the website, “it is possible to have flu and other respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 at the same time.” It can also be read that getting the COVID-19 vaccine, including a COVID-19 booster shot and the flu vaccine, at the same time is possible.

“While limited data exist on giving COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines, including flu vaccines, experience with giving other vaccines together has shown the way our bodies develop protection, and possible side effects are generally similar whether vaccines are given alone or with other vaccines. If you have concerns about getting both vaccines at the same time, you should speak with a health care provider.”- the site states with regards to the safety of the vaccines combined.

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Source: hellomagyar.hu, my.clevelandclinic.org, canada.ca, cdc.gov