Is it risky to do both flu and Covid-19 vaccines at the same time?

• The flu vaccination campaign starts on Tuesday.

• On this occasion, eligible people who have not done their anti-Covid vaccine booster are invited to receive both vaccines simultaneously.

• How is this double vaccination welcomed and practiced?

How many arms will you stretch out?

A ?

Of them ?

This Tuesday, France is launching its seasonal flu vaccination campaign.

And against the backdrop of the eighth wave of Covid-19, the health authorities would like to encourage eligible French people to kill two birds with one stone: get vaccinated against the flu in one arm, and against Covid-19 in the other.

And thus avoid a double epidemic.

Who is eligible for this double vaccination?

How is it received and how does it take place?

Counteract the drop in immunity

If for the time being, the flu is limited to a few sporadic cases in France, the health authorities fear this year a major epidemic.

“Firstly because the flu epidemic observed in the southern hemisphere this summer during the austral winter was virulent, reminds

Professor Jean-Daniel Lelièvre, immunologist, head of the infectious diseases department of the Henri-Mondor hospital (AP-HP) and member of the vaccination commission of the High Authority for Health.

But also because last year, the vaccination coverage against the flu was quite low.

There is therefore a drop in immunity in the general population, against the backdrop of a drop in respect for barrier gestures.

Hence the interest for people at risk to be vaccinated without delay against the flu, and against Covid-19 ”.

Almost the same people are at risk of developing a severe form of the two viruses: those over 65 for the flu injection and over 60 for the anti-Covid vaccine.

As well as pregnant women, people suffering from severe obesity or patients with certain chronic diseases such as diabetes.

“People who have already had their second anti-Covid booster and whose fourth dose dates back more than six months can receive both vaccines at the same time, indicates Dr Jean-Louis Bensoussan, general practitioner, who has already practiced the double vaccination last year.

Patients willing to do so have fully understood that the effectiveness of the anti-Covid vaccine fades and that their immunity drops, hence the regular booster shots.

Thus, 64 years old, Yvan is already in the starting blocks.

“I have a multi-risk profile, with obesity, diabetes, cardiac arrhythmia and hypertension, so I will receive this double vaccination without hesitation!

Ditto for Patrice, 69: “I am going to get vaccinated against Covid-19 and the flu at the same time, as I already did last year.

I got vaccinated against the flu by occupational medicine every year when I was working, explains this former nurse.

I didn't do it anymore when I retired, but I've been back at it since the start of the pandemic.

Simultaneous or interval vaccination?

On the other hand, among the testimonials of readers eligible for both vaccines and who responded to our call, many intend to avoid any vaccination.

Like Christian, 69, who has “never had the flu or Covid-19 vaccine, and does not intend to start”.

But for many patients eligible for double vaccination and wishing to do so, it is rather the timing that is at the heart of the questions.

This is the case of Sylvette, 68, who “wants to have the two vaccines but not at the same time, rather at two or three week intervals”.

The Ministry of Health notes it, “a certain number of our fellow citizens have reservations” despite the proven absence of risk.

Reluctance that puzzles Professor Lelièvre.

“Why be afraid to get vaccinated against both viruses simultaneously when children are safely given hexavalent vaccines targeting six different pathogens?

he wonders.

The immunologist insists: “there is no toxicity or risk in vaccinating against influenza and Covid-19 simultaneously.

Especially since it increases adherence and ease of vaccination: you only mobilize your health professional and you only travel once, it's much more practical”.

Already up to date with his anti-Covid reminder, Hervé, 66 and diabetic, "prefers, however, to wait a month for the flu vaccine, to be protected if the epidemic occurs late".

As was the case last winter, with an epidemic that peaked in the spring instead of at the very beginning of the year.

"The duration of protection of the vaccine is of the order of 6 months", recalls the Ministry of Health.

It is therefore “not necessary to wait, adds Professor Lelièvre, especially since it is at the risk of not having had time to be immunized when the epidemic is there.

After the injection, it takes two weeks for the body to develop its immunity”.

Fear of a more intense febrile state

These are all reasons why the High Authority for Health (HAS) “maintains its recommendation to combine the reminder campaign against Covid-19 with that of vaccination against influenza.

(…) The concomitant injection of the two vaccines is possible if it is carried out on two distinct injection sites”.

A possibility that seduces Elodie, 40, 3 months pregnant: “Having to move only once seems good to me, she confides.

But I'm afraid of having bigger side effects and having pain in both arms scares me because I only sleep on my side with my stomach.

So, for the moment, I am thinking of doing the two vaccines simultaneously, but I am waiting to see my gynecologist in a few days before deciding.

“The main effect reported by my patients is pain at the injection site, confirms Dr. Bensoussan.

But it usually only lasts 24 to 36 hours,” he reassures.

In addition, “we will not necessarily have more fever and a more intense febrile state because we will have received the two vaccines at the same time, abounds Professor Le lièvre.

Just because you might have a 38°C fever after one injection doesn't mean you'll have 40°C after two.

And the advantage of simultaneous vaccination is to have this feverish state only once”.

Health

Flu: France begins to vaccinate this Tuesday, in the midst of a wave of Covid-19

Health

Covid-19: The back-to-school wave continues in France, while hospitalizations increase

• Health

• Vaccination

• Flu

• Covid-19

• Vaccine

• Covid vaccine

• epidemic