A recent study has confirmed that receiving the flu and COVID-19 vaccines simultaneously is safe, alleviating concerns that some individuals had about getting both shots in one visit. Public health experts have previously stated that co-administration of the vaccines is safe, but many people remained worried. The new research, published as the first randomized, placebo-controlled trial in the U.S. on this topic, supports these claims.
The study, led by Dr. Emmanuel Walter, Chief Medical Officer of the Duke Human Vaccine Institute, involved 335 participants. They were randomly assigned to receive either both the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine and the flu vaccine at the same time, or the same vaccines spaced one to two weeks apart. Participants who received the vaccines simultaneously had them administered in separate arms to ensure safety.
The researchers found no significant difference in side effects between the two groups. Most reported side effects were mild and included pain at the injection site, fever, muscle and joint aches, headache, chills, fatigue, nausea, and swelling under the arms. These side effects were consistent with the reactions seen when people receive either vaccine individually.
“The bottom line is that when we gave the vaccines together, we didn’t see an increase in the composite outcome of side effects compared to when we spread them out,” said Dr. Walter. This finding debunks earlier concerns that activating the immune system against both the flu and COVID-19 at the same time might lead to more intense reactions.
The study also showed that the occurrence of side effects was similar among those who had previously contracted COVID-19 and those who had not, further confirming the safety of co-administration. While the study did not explore the vaccines’ effectiveness when given together, preliminary data suggested no significant differences in COVID-19 illness between those who received both vaccines at once versus those who had them separated. Dr. Walter plans to analyze this data further in a future study.
One of the study’s key findings is that co-vaccination does not seem to affect the safety profile of either vaccine. Dr. Walter pointed out that the long-established practice of giving multiple vaccines to young children simultaneously suggested no need for concern, reinforcing the safety of getting both vaccines during a single visit.
While the study was limited in size and did not address rare, severe adverse events, the results are in line with current recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC has advised that receiving both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time is safe, making it more convenient for individuals to protect themselves from both viruses in a single visit.