26 hours ago When should I get vaccinated? Flu shot availability began popping up at pharmacy chains and doctors’ offices this summer, but when it comes to getting the shot, earlier isn't better. “The best time to get vaccinated is from mid-September through the month of October,” says William Schaffner, M.D., medical director of the National ... >> Go To The Portal
If you have received all recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccine that has been authorized or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or is listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO), then you are considered to be fully vaccinated.
Even though both vaccines can be given at the same visit, people should follow the recommended schedule for either vaccine: If you haven't gotten your currently recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccine, get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can, and ideally get a flu vaccine by the end of October.
While the flu shot won't protect you from developing COVID-19, it's still a good idea. Most people older than six months can and should get the flu vaccine. Doing so reduces the chances of getting seasonal flu.
The bottom line is that if you didn't get your second shot on time, you'll want to get it as soon as possible. If you didn't get your second shot because you developed COVID-19 at some point during the vaccination process, it's still recommended that you get your second dose.
Yes. It is possible have flu, as well as other respiratory illnesses, and COVID-19 at the same time. Health experts are still studying how common this can be. Some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, making it hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone.
It is not recommended you take over-the-counter medicine (such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen) before vaccination for the purpose of trying to prevent vaccine-related side effects. It is not known how these medications might affect how well the vaccine works.
When it comes to improving your immune response, getting the COVID vaccine and booster shot, along with other recommended vaccinations, is best. Think of vaccination as a cheat sheet for your immune system. When a viral invader makes its way into your body, your immune system prepares to fight.
There is evidence that vitamin D may enhance immune functions in human cells and reduce the spread of some viruses in the laboratory setting. However, there is very limited information about the safety and effectiveness of using vitamin D for treating or preventing COVID-19 (as of August 7, 2020)(source). If your healthcare professional finds that you have a Vitamin D deficiency, it should be treated regardless of COVID-19. The best way to learn how to treat COVID-19 is to conduct randomized controlled clinical trials.
In fact, a recent study from the U.K. found that vaccines led to a significantly lower risk of long COVID compared with those who are unvaccinated, but that still close to 10% of the fully vaccinated participants showed symptoms of long COVID three months later.
Key takeaways: It's important to get both doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to get the most benefit from the two-dose series. Some people may react more strongly to the second shot, but the side effects are temporary and will typically go away within a few days.
Side effects after your second shot may be more intense than the ones you experienced after your first shot. These side effects are normal signs that your body is building protection and should go away within a few days.
It may be helpful for some people to wait up to 8 weeks between the first and second doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna COVID vaccines, the CDC says in updated guidance.