Can You Get a Flu Shot and a COVID Vaccine at the Same Time?

Key TakeawaysThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released its annual influenza vaccine guidelines.According to the CDC, it’s safe to get your flu shot and a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine on the same day. In fact, the CDC is advising that people get a COVID dose (or booster, if eligible) at the same time that they get their flu shot.Many pharmacies and doctor’s offices will have both vaccines on hand throughout the fall and winter, and people will be able to schedule an appointment to get both shots on the same day.

Key Takeaways

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released its annual influenza vaccine guidelines.According to the CDC, it’s safe to get your flu shot and a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine on the same day. In fact, the CDC is advising that people get a COVID dose (or booster, if eligible) at the same time that they get their flu shot.Many pharmacies and doctor’s offices will have both vaccines on hand throughout the fall and winter, and people will be able to schedule an appointment to get both shots on the same day.

On August 27, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)released its guidelines for the 2021/2022 flu season.Included in the guidance are recommendations for influenza vaccination, as well as COVID-19 vaccines.

This year, the CDC is recommending that peopleget their flu shotat the same time they receive their first or second vaccine dose, or a booster. (Moderna and Pfizer require two vaccine doses before a booster; the J&J vaccine is one dose before the booster.)

When Should You Get Your Flu Shot?

Is It Safe to Get Both Shots at Once?

According to the CDC, current guidance has shown that COVID-19 vaccines “can be coadministered with other vaccines, including influenza vaccines.”

Lisa Grohskopf, MD, MPH, a medical officer in the influenza division at CDC, tells Verywell that “while we’ve said recently when asked that it’s safe to get both vaccines, this is the first published notice.”

The CDC’s recommendation to give both shots at the same vaccine appointment is an update to previous guidance, which stated that people should wait 14 days between the COVID-19 and other vaccines.

According to the CDC, the guidance changed because “experience with other vaccines has shown that the way our bodies develop protection, known as an immune response, after getting vaccinated and possible side effects of vaccines are generally the same when given alone or with other vaccines.”

How to Safely Get a Flu Shot During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Importance of Getting Both Vaccines

Andrew Pavia, MD, chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Utah Health and a spokesperson at the Infectious Diseases Society of America, tells Verywell that with flu season on its way and about 90 million Americans still unvaccinated against COVID-19, “The new guidance is important because it can increase the chance that someone coming in for one of the vaccines who also needs the other, will get it.”

Infectious disease experts like Pavia worry that thefew flu cases that were reported last year—likely because of the lockdown, which meant all offices and schools were closed—might lead people to believe that they do not need flu shots for the 2021-2022 season.That’s far from the case, however.

“We just don’t know what the flu season will be like this year,” says Pavia. “And you could be risking severe illness or death, especially if you get COVID-19 at the same time, so we really need people to get both vaccines.”

If You Don’t Usually Get a Flu Shot, You Should Still Get a COVID Vaccine

Getting Scheduled

If you’re going to get both vaccines at your doctor’s office, you should be able to let them know your preference when you call for an appointment. If you’re going to go elsewhere—such as a vaccine clinic or a pharmacy—you’ll need to find out how these locations are setting up appointments.

Sara Roszak, DrPH, MPH, senior vice president of Health and Wellness Strategy and Policy at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, says that some chain pharmacies have online vaccine scheduling that gives you the option to schedule both vaccines (if needed) for the same day.

However, some of the schedulers can be cumbersome. If you’re trying to schedule a vaccine online and having difficulty, spokespeople for both CVS and Walgreen’s advise calling your local pharmacy to make your appointment.

How To Sign Up For a COVID-19 Vaccine In Every State

What to Expect

The CDC’s guidance states that if you get both shots on the same day, you can expect to have one in each arm. This way, if there is a reaction at or near the injection site, it will be clear which vaccine caused it.Mild pain where the shots are given, redness, and swelling can be side effects of both the COVID-19 andflu vaccines.

Grohskopf says that other side effects can include headache, muscle ache, fatigue, and low-grade fever, but that “many people get no side effects from either [vaccine].”

Priya Nori, MD, assistant professor of infectious disease at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, tells Verywell that you can also have your shots on different days if you’d prefer it. What’s important is that you get vaccinated.

The concern, Nori says, is that “People can’t or won’t return to their provider for the other shot if it’s needed, and delays in getting either vaccine puts you at risk.” With both viruses being serious, “We want to be sure as many people as possible are vaccinated,” she adds.

What to Do Before, During, and After Your COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment

What About Boosters?

Grohskopf says that authorized“booster” COVID shotswill also be able to be given along with a flu shot.

And, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved:

According to the CDC, you are eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot if:You are 18 years of age and older and received the Moderna primary vaccine series at least five months agoYou are 5 years of age and older and received the Pfizer primary vaccine series at least five months agoYou are 18 years of age and older and received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months agoEligible adults are able to choose any authorized COVID-19 booster—regardless of the vaccine type that was used for the initial vaccination (although mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are preferred in most situations). Children and teens ages 5 to 17 who completed Pfizer’s primary series are only eligible for the Pfizer booster.

According to the CDC, you are eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot if:

Eligible adults are able to choose any authorized COVID-19 booster—regardless of the vaccine type that was used for the initial vaccination (although mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are preferred in most situations). Children and teens ages 5 to 17 who completed Pfizer’s primary series are only eligible for the Pfizer booster.

Additionally, people 12 years of age and older with certain kinds of immunocompromise and all people age 50+ who have received an initial mRNA booster dose at least four months ago are eligible for a second booster dose.

Adults who have received a primary vaccine and booster dose of Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine at least four months ago can now receive a second booster using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Lisa Kalajian, PharmD, a district leader for CVS, tells Verywell that when the booster shots are more widely authorized, the chain will be ready to give them and the flu shot on the same day. Other pharmacy chains, likeWalgreensand Walmart, have made similar announcements.

Where Can You Get A Booster Shot?

What About Kids?

All children 6 months and older are eligible to receive a COVID vaccine.Most children 6 months and olderare eligible for a flu vaccine,

Experts Warn Against Off-Label Use of COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Under 12

Will We Ever Have a “2-for-1” Shot?

Pairing flu shots with the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, a second dose of an mRNA vaccine, or a booster, will make vaccination appointments “one and done” for many people.

In the future, the process could be even more streamlined. As soon as next year, you might be able to get the flu and COVID-19 shots as a single jab—an advancement that will hopefully improve the uptake of both vaccines.

At least one company, Novavax, is working on a combination vaccine. In June,Novavax reportedthat the vaccine being tested “may be a viable immunization strategy.” While those results were promising, the study has yet to be peer-reviewed.

“These results demonstrate the promising opportunity for [joint] vaccination, which may improve the uptake of both vaccines,” saidGregory M. Glenn, MD, president of research and development at Novavax.

What This Means For You

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The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.

12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Grohskopf LA, Alyanak E, Ferdinands JM, et al.Prevention and control of seasonal influenza with vaccines: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States, 2021–22 influenza season.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(5):1-28. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7005a1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting a COVID-19 vaccine for yourself or your child.Rubin R.Influenza’s unprecedented low profile during COVID-19 pandemic leaves experts wondering what this flu season has in store.JAMA.2021;326(10):899-900. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.14131Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Administer the vaccine(s).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 vaccine booster shots.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC endorses ACIP’s updated COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC strengthens recommendations and expands eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots.Food and Drug Administration.Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: FDA shortens interval for booster dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to five months.Food and Drug Administration.Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: FDA takes multiple actions to expand use of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Interim clinical considerations for use of COVID-19 vaccines currently approved or authorized in the United States.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC recommends additional boosters for certain individuals.Food and Drug Administration.Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: FDA authorizes Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for children down to 6 months of age.

12 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Grohskopf LA, Alyanak E, Ferdinands JM, et al.Prevention and control of seasonal influenza with vaccines: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States, 2021–22 influenza season.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(5):1-28. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7005a1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting a COVID-19 vaccine for yourself or your child.Rubin R.Influenza’s unprecedented low profile during COVID-19 pandemic leaves experts wondering what this flu season has in store.JAMA.2021;326(10):899-900. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.14131Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Administer the vaccine(s).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 vaccine booster shots.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC endorses ACIP’s updated COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC strengthens recommendations and expands eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots.Food and Drug Administration.Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: FDA shortens interval for booster dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to five months.Food and Drug Administration.Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: FDA takes multiple actions to expand use of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Interim clinical considerations for use of COVID-19 vaccines currently approved or authorized in the United States.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC recommends additional boosters for certain individuals.Food and Drug Administration.Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: FDA authorizes Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for children down to 6 months of age.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Grohskopf LA, Alyanak E, Ferdinands JM, et al.Prevention and control of seasonal influenza with vaccines: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States, 2021–22 influenza season.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(5):1-28. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7005a1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting a COVID-19 vaccine for yourself or your child.Rubin R.Influenza’s unprecedented low profile during COVID-19 pandemic leaves experts wondering what this flu season has in store.JAMA.2021;326(10):899-900. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.14131Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Administer the vaccine(s).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 vaccine booster shots.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC endorses ACIP’s updated COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC strengthens recommendations and expands eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots.Food and Drug Administration.Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: FDA shortens interval for booster dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to five months.Food and Drug Administration.Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: FDA takes multiple actions to expand use of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Interim clinical considerations for use of COVID-19 vaccines currently approved or authorized in the United States.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC recommends additional boosters for certain individuals.Food and Drug Administration.Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: FDA authorizes Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for children down to 6 months of age.

Grohskopf LA, Alyanak E, Ferdinands JM, et al.Prevention and control of seasonal influenza with vaccines: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, United States, 2021–22 influenza season.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(5):1-28. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7005a1

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting a COVID-19 vaccine for yourself or your child.

Rubin R.Influenza’s unprecedented low profile during COVID-19 pandemic leaves experts wondering what this flu season has in store.JAMA.2021;326(10):899-900. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.14131

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Administer the vaccine(s).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 vaccine booster shots.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC endorses ACIP’s updated COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC strengthens recommendations and expands eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots.

Food and Drug Administration.Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: FDA shortens interval for booster dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine to five months.

Food and Drug Administration.Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: FDA takes multiple actions to expand use of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Interim clinical considerations for use of COVID-19 vaccines currently approved or authorized in the United States.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.CDC recommends additional boosters for certain individuals.

Food and Drug Administration.Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: FDA authorizes Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for children down to 6 months of age.

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