Flu Vaccine and COVID-19 Vaccine? Yes and Yes!
It’s the time of year again when your doctor recommends your family get the flu vaccine. If you went to the pediatrician recently, they likely asked you to protect your child with a flu vaccine. And I bet they doubled down and asked you to get the COVID-19 vaccine. I agree with this recommendation – any child six months or older should have both vaccines!
Kids have returned to school, which means our offices are full of sick kids. They all seem to have a back-to-school cold! On top of that, we’re still seeing COVID-19 and some cases of influenza (“flu.”) When winter comes, we’ll see lots more of both. So, it’s time now to protect your kids with vaccines against both viruses.
There’s a lot of information for parents to understand – it can feel overwhelming! Here’s a summary of what you need to know about these two important vaccines. Getting both shots decreases kids’ chances of:
- Getting either illness. And, if they covido get sick with them, their symptoms will be milder.
- Developing severe complications of the flu and COVID-19, such as pneumonia.
- Spreading illness to other vulnerable people like grandparents. It’s common for older people or those with weakened immune systems to get ill from a child. Protecting your child from the flu and COVID-19 will also cover other people you care about.
- Missing school or other activities.
It can be hard to know if your child has a cold, flu, or COVID-19. Some symptoms occur in all 3 of these viral illnesses, including cough, fatigue, and sore throat. If they lose their smell or taste, your child is more likely to have COVID-19. Both influenza and COVID-19 can cause fever (100.4°F or higher), while the common cold rarely does. Influenza and COVID-19 can be especially hard to tell apart – both can cause body aches, diarrhea, headache, and shortness of breath. Giving them a flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine is one thing you can do to decrease the likelihood that they will develop an illness.
Which COVID-19 vaccine should my child get?
If your child does not yet have a COVID-19 vaccine, start with the primary series. If they have completed this, it may be time for a booster. Either way, you can find their recommended vaccines on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) webpage. Kaiser members can also use kp.org or the KP.org app to be alerted when a vaccine or booster is due.
The COVID-19 boosters are becoming more like what we are used to for the flu vaccine we get every year. The vaccine protects against new COVID-19 variants as they appear. When your child is eligible, they should get the bivalent booster (as long as it has been more than two months since their previous COVID-19 vaccine.) If they are not yet eligible for the bivalent version – get them the one recommended for their age.
Is it safe to get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time?
Yes. We can protect your child with any vaccine they’re due for at the same time they get the COVID-19 vaccine. There is no reason to delay getting the flu or COVID-19 vaccine.
Also, getting them on the same day may be less traumatic for a child than getting
shots on two different days.
Resources for Parents
My Doctor Online
To find a vaccination center near you or learn how to treat symptoms if your child becomes ill, visit our Cold and Flu page.
If you’re concerned about your child’s health this winter, there are several ways to talk with your doctor: by email, or via telephone, video, or in-person appointments. Video visits work very well, provide ultimate convenience and limit exposure to illness from others.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Featured Author
Dr. Balster's biography reads: I grew up in a small town in rural Ohio. After high school, I went to Purdue University for my undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering. I then attended medical school at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. In addition to my MD, I obtained a Ph.D. in cell biology with an emphasis on childhood cancer research. After obtaining my degrees, I continued my pediatric training at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. I then made the journey to California with my wife and two children. In the San Francisco Bay Area, I was able to continue training and pursuing various interests in the medical field at Stanford University and the surrounding area. I am a board-certified pediatrician, and I began practicing at Kaiser Permanente in November of 2010. I moved to the Redwood City area permanently in May 2012 and work both as a hospital pediatrician in Kaiser Permanente Redwood City Hospital and also as an outpatient clinic physician in Kaiser Permanente San Mateo offices.
I chose pediatrics as my specialty because I enjoy interacting with and helping children and their families. I enjoy being a part of children’s and their families’ lives as they grow and develop while treating any diseases or overcoming any problems that may come along. I look forward to working with you to keep your child healthy and happy.
Dr. Balster's full biography can be found on My Doctor Online. Disclaimer: If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder. This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.