Questions and answers about the coronavirus and the flu: can we get both at the same time?

The coexistence of the flu and the coronavirus this year makes getting a flu shot is more important than ever, especially for risk groups. The Ministry of Health has launched the campaign “I get vaccinated. This year I also make a difference“-from the second half of October and the first week of November- to appeal to the most vulnerable population, their contacts and health and social health professionals get vaccinated against the flu this year.

During the 2019-2020 season, 619,000 people attended Primary Care for influenza, there were 27,700 hospitalizations, 1,800 required intensive care and 3,900 associated deaths were recorded. But the vaccine prevented 26% of hospitalizations, 40% of ICU admissions and 37% of deaths in those over 65 years of age.

Due to the control and social distancing measures implemented against the Sars-CoV-2 pandemic, last year the flu barely circulated. However, his uprising now makes more likely that both viruses can match and that with this the complications are increased in the risk groups.

In addition, the synergistic effect between the two doubles the risk of death in case of coinfection. With the aim of clarifying all doubts, Health has published a question and answer document in which it explains, among others, issues related to vaccination against both diseases.

Who is the flu vaccine for?

Over 65 years; people between 6 months and 65 years with a high risk of complications for any underlying condition or disease; groups that can transmit the flu to the above, health and social health personnel and certain groups considered essential.

Also pregnant and minors between 6 months and 2 years with a history of prematurity less than 32 weeks of gestation, as well as patients with immunosuppression.

How effective is it?

It fundamentally depends on the age and health status and the similarity between the influenza viruses that are circulating and those with which the vaccine was made. However, if the infected person is vaccinated, the disease is most likely less severe. Although you have to prick yourself every year, it is very secure and it has a great impact to avoid hospitalizations and deaths.

What vaccinations will they get this year?

Most are inactivated (not alive) that contain virus fractions or viral proteins. Therefore, they do not contain live viruses and cannot cause influenza illness. An attenuated vaccine that should only be used in healthy children and young people is also authorized. The viruses contained in this vaccine, being weakened, do not cause the flu.

In whom is it contraindicated?

Less than 6 months; allergic people to the active substances or to any component of the vaccine or to have had a severe allergic reaction to a flu vaccine in the past. In people who have a fever or an acute infection, it should be postponed until they have recovered.

Does it have any side effects?

The most common is discomfort and / or pain at the injection site. These local reactions usually last less than 48 hours and rarely interfere with the normal life of vaccinated people. Other reactions such as fever, malaise or muscle aches can also appear after vaccination; they usually start in the first 6-12 hours and usually last 1-2 days.

I am allergic to eggs, can I get vaccinated?

Yes. Although most flu vaccines are manufactured using egg-based technology and contain trace amounts of egg protein, all studies indicate that severe allergic reactions are very unlikely.

Can it be put together with other vaccines?

Yes, in different anatomical locations, including the mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 and pneumococcus.

How do I differentiate flu symptoms from COVID-19?

Fever, sore throat, runny nose, dry cough, headache, muscle pain and fatigue are the most common symptoms of the flu, which begin 1 to 4 days after the virus enters the body. Some people become infected but do not develop the disease, although they can transmit it to others.

The new coronavirus and the flu virus have very similar clinical presentations: Both share routes of transmission and cause respiratory diseases, with a wide variety of symptoms, which can range from non-existent or mild to severe and fatal. Fever, cough, and loss of smell / taste are common symptoms in flu and covid-19. Fatigue, sore throat, headaches and muscles seem to occur less frequently in covid, which, on the contrary, presents more respiratory distress than in the flu.

What varies is the proportion of patients with severe symptoms, because in the case of coronavirus, 80% are mild or asymptomatic, 15% are severe and require oxygen, and 5% are critical infections that need ventilation, percentages that are more elevated in the case of influenza infection.

Is there a higher risk of getting COVID-19 from a flu shot?

No. Vaccination is the best form of protection against both. and its complications.

Can those who have passed the coronavirus get vaccinated?

In patients who have overcome the coronavirus or suffer from it in a mild or asymptomatic way vaccination is recommended after the end of the isolation daysnto recommended.