But if you’re in a group allowed to get two Covid shots in a year, Monto suggests getting your shots around October. “What you’re doing is optimizing the duration of immunity,” he said. “And there’s no question that with flu, if you get your flu shot too early, you’re going to lose some of the protection.”
Flu vaccine effectiveness wanes over time, with the protection it offers against infection declining by about 7% per month, according to a recent study. But the vaccine remains effective long enough to get you through the winter, said Danuta Skowronski, an epidemiologist at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control who studies flu vaccine effectiveness.
Skowronski said her advice is to get your flu shot as soon as you can, provided you’ve had a Covid shot. “We’re seeing a lot of flu activity already. So I think the message should be, get your flu shot now,” she said.
The RSV story is a bit different. RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, is a leading cause of serious illness in young children. It causes cold-like symptoms in adults but can be life-threatening to infants. People aged 65 and over, or those with certain chronic conditions, are also at risk of severe RSV disease.
The RSV vaccine, developed by AstraZeneca, is more finicky than the Covid and flu shots. It requires two doses, spaced a month apart. And it’s only available to certain groups — adults aged 65 and over, people with certain chronic health conditions, and people aged 50 to 64 who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease. It’s not recommended for children, pregnant people, or adults aged 49 or younger who are healthy.
The RSV vaccine will be given in the same arm as the flu vaccine, so it’s best to get the flu and RSV shots together, said Lisa Grohskopf, a medical officer in the CDC’s influenza division.
For those who qualify for the RSV vaccine, Grohskopf’s advice is to get it as soon as possible. “RSV season has already started in the southern U.S., and the vaccine takes a while to kick in,” she said.
She suggested people who are getting the RSV vaccine should do so in August to be protected by the end of September.
“It’s always better to get the vaccine sooner rather than later,” she said.
But that advice comes with a caveat: She said it’s not clear how long the protection will last. The vaccine’s efficacy declines over time, like the flu vaccine. It’s possible that people will need annual boosters, though that’s still being studied.
Grohskopf noted that with the RSV vaccine, there’s less urgency to get it in August if you’re not planning to be around infants or other high-risk individuals. She suggested waiting until the end of September if you’re not in a high-risk group.
These discussions are complicated by the fact that some people are seeking to get a fourth dose of Covid vaccine, either because they’re immune-compromised or because they’re older. But for the vast majority of people, the priority should be getting a flu shot, advised Hensley.
“With Covid, it’s a little more nuanced,” he said.
Hensley suggested getting your flu vaccine whenever you can, getting your Covid shot now if you’re eligible for only one per year, and waiting until October if you can get two Covid shots in a year. If you’re eligible for the RSV vaccine, get it as soon as you can, he said.
“Flu is a major killer of people in the U.S. each year. Getting your flu shot should be your top priority,” he said.
But he added: “If you have the opportunity to get a Covid shot, you should jump on it.”
Remember: None of these vaccines can give you 100% protection against these viruses. But they can reduce your risk of getting sick, and they can reduce your risk of spreading the viruses to others. The more people who are vaccinated, the better off we all are. So do your part, and get your shots!
As the world continues to navigate the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the decision of when to get vaccinated can be a daunting task for many individuals. With the arrival of booster shots and the impending flu season, the timing of vaccinations has become a topic of discussion among experts in the field.
One individual, concerned about her 96-year-old grandfather’s health, is advocating for him to receive the Covid-19 vaccine sooner rather than later. She believes that with the current high levels of transmission, early vaccination is crucial for his safety. Additionally, she is advising him to delay his flu shot until a later date, as he no longer drives and scheduling appointments may be challenging.
Influenza virologist Florian Krammer from Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine echoes this sentiment, recommending that individuals who have not been exposed to Covid-19 recently should consider getting vaccinated promptly to reduce their risk of infection in the near future. However, he acknowledges the difficulty in determining the optimal timing for vaccination, especially with the uncertainty surrounding the seasonal patterns of the virus.
For individuals who are immunocompromised or aged 65 and older, the decision to get vaccinated multiple times a year is more straightforward. The CDC allows these individuals to receive more than one shot per year, making it easier to plan for both early and late vaccinations. Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, opted to receive an earlier version of the Covid-19 vaccine due to the high transmission rates this summer, with plans to get a new shot later in the winter.
The challenge in timing Covid-19 vaccinations lies in the fact that the virus does not follow a predictable seasonal pattern like the flu. While efforts have been made to synchronize the Covid-19 vaccination campaign with the annual flu shot campaign, the experts admit that the current strategies may not offer the best protection to individuals.
When it comes to timing flu shots, the CDC recommends getting vaccinated by the end of October to prepare for the peak flu season, which typically occurs from late December to mid-February. Like Covid-19 vaccines, flu shots are more effective at preventing severe illness than blocking infection entirely. Microbiology professor Kanta Subbarao emphasizes the importance of getting vaccinated to prevent severe illness and death, rather than focusing solely on avoiding infection.
As the debate continues on the optimal timing of vaccinations, experts like Subbarao and Osterholm stress the importance of staying informed and making decisions based on individual circumstances. Whether it’s getting vaccinated early or waiting for flu activity to increase in the community, the goal is to maximize protection against both Covid-19 and influenza during the upcoming winter months. As we enter flu season, it’s important to remember that getting a flu shot is crucial for protecting yourself against the virus. However, it’s essential to note that it takes about two weeks for the vaccine’s protection to fully kick in. This means that if the flu virus starts circulating early, you could be caught flat-footed if you haven’t already gotten your flu shot.
But flu shots aren’t the only vaccines to consider this season. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccines are also available for older adults. Currently, there are three vaccines on the market: Pfizer’s Abrysvo, Moderna’s mResvia, and GSK’s Arexvy. These vaccines are licensed for people aged 60 and older, with GSK’s vaccine also approved for individuals aged 50 to 59 who are at high risk for severe illness from RSV. It’s important to note that these vaccines are relatively new, with GSK and Pfizer’s vaccines being licensed last year and Moderna’s vaccine following in May.
One important consideration with RSV vaccines is the issue of re-vaccination. It’s not yet clear how often individuals will need to receive the vaccine, but it is known that annual vaccination is not necessary for the GSK and Pfizer vaccines. Additionally, the CDC recently changed its policy on who should receive an RSV shot, recommending that individuals aged 75 and older should get vaccinated, along with those aged 60 to 74 with underlying health conditions that increase their risk of severe illness from RSV.
For pregnant individuals, Pfizer’s Abrysvo is also licensed for use to protect their babies from RSV after birth. The CDC recommends that pregnant individuals who will be giving birth during RSV season (from September through January) receive a shot between weeks 32 and 36 of each pregnancy.
It’s important to be proactive about getting vaccinated against both the flu and RSV, especially as we head into the fall and winter months when these viruses are most prevalent. By staying informed and following the recommendations of healthcare professionals and the CDC, you can help protect yourself and those around you from these potentially serious illnesses. The world is constantly changing, and with that change comes new challenges and opportunities. One of the most pressing issues of our time is climate change, and it is up to each and every one of us to do our part to address this global crisis.
Climate change is caused by the increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, primarily carbon dioxide and methane. These gases trap heat from the sun, leading to a rise in global temperatures. This rise in temperature has far-reaching consequences, including melting polar ice caps, rising sea levels, and more frequent extreme weather events such as hurricanes and droughts.
The impacts of climate change are already being felt around the world. In low-lying coastal areas, communities are facing the threat of sea-level rise and increased flooding. In regions prone to drought, farmers are struggling to grow crops and feed their families. And in densely populated urban areas, air pollution is causing respiratory illnesses and exacerbating health issues.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. There are steps that each of us can take to mitigate the effects of climate change and work towards a more sustainable future. One of the most effective ways to reduce our carbon footprint is to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. This can be done by driving less, using public transportation, biking, or walking whenever possible. Additionally, we can support renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, and advocate for policies that promote clean energy.
Another important way to combat climate change is to reduce our consumption and waste. By buying less and reusing and recycling more, we can minimize our impact on the environment. We can also support companies that prioritize sustainability and ethical practices, and pressure governments to enact laws that protect our planet.
Individual actions may seem small in the face of such a huge problem, but together, they can make a big difference. By working together and taking collective action, we can create a more sustainable future for ourselves and for future generations. It’s time to take climate change seriously and do our part to protect our planet.
