Fall Vaccines
NOT a photo of a child being stuck with a vaccine, because nobody likes those creepy stock vaccine photos. But EVERYBODY likes a cat playing with a walnut in a fall sweater. Photo credit: Iryna Tiumentseva/Shutterstock.com
Now that we are through Labor Day weekend and the theoretical end of summer (even though that’s actually September 22), it’s on to pumpkin spice everything, sweaters even if they aren’t needed yet, and….flu and COVID-19 vaccines. This year’s vaccines are now widely available at major chain pharmacies, urgent care centers, some independent pharmacies, and many workplaces. Read below for a summary of the most recent guidance from the CDC and the ACIP.
Influenza (Flu) Vaccines
The CDC recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older receive an annual flu vaccine. This is the most effective way to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and even death related to influenza.
Children aged 6 months to 9 years old who are receiving the flu vaccine for the first time ever require two doses at least four weeks apart.
FluMist is an intranasal spray that is approved for ages 2 to 49. It is a live attenuated vaccine.
Adults 65 and over should receive the high-dose flu vaccine (Fluzone High-Dose).
Other commonly available brands include Fluzone, Flublok, Afluria, Fluarix, FluLaval, and Flucelvax. Egg allergy is no longer a contraindication to any formulation of the flu vaccine.
Flu season in NYC typically peaks in late December. I recommend vaccination during the month of October to give coverage through that peak and hopefully on through February.
Side effects include soreness at the injection site, fever, achy muscles, headache, and fatigue.
COVID-19 Vaccines
Over the past two weeks the FDA has granted emergency use authorization (EUA) of:
Comirnaty: Pfizer’s mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. It targets the Omnicron KP.2 strain of SARS-CoV-2 and is approved for 6 months of age and older.
Spikevax: Moderna’s mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. It targets the Omnicron KP.2 strain of SARS-CoV-2 and is approved for 6 months of age and older.
Novavax: adjuvant vaccine. It targets the Omicron JN.1 strain of SARS-CoV-2 and is approved for 12 years of age and older.
Previous formulations of vaccines are no longer available, so you don’t need to worry about whether you are getting the newest vaccine - you are!
Children aged 6 months through 4 years old who are receiving the COVID-19 vaccine for the first time ever require three doses of Comirnaty or two doses of Spikevax.
Children aged 6 months through 4 years old who have previously received the COVID-19 vaccine should receive one or two doses of the updated vaccine. Timing and number of doses depends on the previous vaccine(s) received.
People aged 5 years and older should receive a single dose of the updated vaccine.
If you had COVID-19 this summer, you can wait two-three months after infection to get the vaccine. Otherwise, I typically recommend vaccination during the month of October. Antibodies reach an effective level around two weeks after vaccination.
Side effects include pain, redness, swelling, and itching at the injection site; fatigue, headache, muscle and joint aches, and fever.
Together?
There are some data that getting the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time boosts immunity to COVID-19. And it's more likely that you'll actually receive both if you receive them at the same time. In addition, side effects are similar and have not been shown to be more severe nor longer in duration when taken together. That said, spacing them out is OK too. Do whatever works best for you, so long as you do it!
