Can you get a flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time?

Medical experts do recommend everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot. It does not matter what your COVID vaccination status is.

News 12 Staff

Sep 23, 2021, 12:53 AM

Updated 1,167 days ago

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The first day of fall brings with it thoughts of getting the flu shot.
For some who have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine, planning to get your shot may raise questions about timing with flu vaccines. 
Sabina Batista, of Yonkers, says she will definitely get the flu shot.
"If I were to get sick, I would get other people sick so I'm just protecting myself and protecting everybody else,” says Batista.
Linda Schimanke has a different plan.
"I'd rather just maybe take one shot at a time and see maybe if I can get it a little later," says Schimanke. “Right now I just want to get the booster shot."
Medical experts do recommend everyone 6 months and older get a flu shot, no matter what your COVID vaccination status is. 
If you want to get the flu shot and the COVID booster shot, Dr. Neil Schluger, the director of Westchester Medical Center's department of medicine, says it is safe to do that.
“The flu vaccine is extremely safe,” says Schluger. “It's quite effective and will protect people from what could be a very bad illness.” 
Doctors say thanks to social distancing, mask wearing and being home, last year saw record low flu related deaths.
Health experts warn this year could be an aggressive flu season with people returning to their normal lives.
"We shouldn't let ourselves be lulled into a false sense of security about the coming flu season,” says Schluger.