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Three seasonal vaccines protecting against flu, COVID-19 and RSV are now widely available. However, many adults aren’t sure if it’s safe to get two of the vaccines at the same time. Even more say they aren’t sure if they should get one of the vaccines before the others.
Although most adults surveyed (61%) had heard that the CDC is recommending flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines this fall, 3 in 10 were unsure whether it is safe to receive two or more of the vaccines at the same time. Another 11% thought it was unsafe. Black and Hispanic survey respondents were more likely than White respondents to report being unsure or thinking it was unsafe (59% vs 41% vs 29%, respectively).
According to the CDC's best practices guideline on immunization, it is recommended to administer all age-appropriate doses of vaccines simultaneously. This means receiving more than one vaccine on the same clinic day is safe, provided there are no contraindications during the healthcare visit. Dr. Michelle Barron, senior medical director of infection prevention and control for UCHealth says "whatever vaccines you're eligible for, get them as soon as you can... because it takes a couple of weeks to take full effect."
Survey participants also were asked if it mattered which vaccine a person gets first if they get the vaccines on different days. Almost half (48%) were unsure or thought that vaccine order did matter. There is no scientific evidence that receiving the vaccines in different orders changes their safety or effectiveness.
In short, community members need to know that: (1) they can safely get their flu, COVID-19, and RSV shots on the same day; and (2) if they choose to get them on separate days, the order of shots does not matter. Sharing information about the safety of simultaneous vaccination is especially important for African American and Hispanic adults who expressed more uncertainty about it. Encourage those with questions to consult their healthcare provider to make informed decisions.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment says Coloradans can find a provider with low- and no-cost COVID-19 vaccines for uninsured and underinsured adults aged 18 years and older on vaccines.gov. Enter your ZIP code and the type(s) of COVID-19 vaccine you would like to receive. Click “Search for COVID-19 vaccines,” then check the box next to “Participating in Bridge Access Program” to find providers with low- and no-cost vaccines for uninsured and underinsured adults. Additional Bridge Access Program providers can be found at eTrueNorth’s COVID-19 Access website.
This week's report is based on 220 responses from a panel of adult residents in Colorado (n=23), Omaha, NE (n=38) and St. Louis, MO (n=159) surveyed from Saturday, October 7, to Monday, October 9, 2023.
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