Yes, it is safe to apply both vaccines. | Photo: Cuartoscuro.
The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) launched the vaccination campaign for the 2024-2025 winter season, with the application of more than 20 million vaccines against seasonal influenza and COVID-19, this was announced this Tuesday through its social networks.
But can both vaccines be applied at the same time?
“Yes, it is possible and it is necessary get vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19“, assured Alfonso Vallejos Parás, academic at the Faculty of Medicine of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), in an interview with Unotv.com
According to the expert, “the vaccines have proven, over time, to be the most effective measure to control diseases”, hence the importance of “inviting everyone to join Get vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19″.
Who can get both vaccines simultaneously?
Any person, within the application protocols of each vaccineyou can receive the biological against both diseaseswithout this implying any risk or complication, according to the researcher, said the university researcher.
For their part, the Centers for Disease Control of the United States (CDC), pointed out that the simultaneous administration of vaccines is a common practice and that most vaccines can be administered in the same visit.
“The idea is that people are up to date with all the vaccines that correspond to them and receive them at the same visit in case they cannot return later to receive the additional vaccines. ”.
CDC
For his part, the UNAM COVID-19 Vaccine Observatory stressed that the Simultaneous application of COVID-19 vaccine and influenza vaccine is safe because there is experience in application of vaccines together that have demonstrated the development of adequate protection and appearance of side effects in a similar way to the application of vaccines alone.
Therefore, the doctor Alfonso Vallejos He reiterated the importance of getting vaccinated, since in his opinion, “this will give a lot of security.”
Simultaneous vaccination in children is safe
In cases where the COVID-19 vaccination in children match the flu vaccinethe UNAM academic recommended apply both simultaneously. “The placement of the two vaccines is safe and effective, just as it happens with adults,” he said.
Considerations in simultaneous application
The CDC indicated that in the case of needle-administered vaccines At the same visit, these should be administered to separate sites on the body (at least one inch apart).
“Adults and older children can place them on the same arm at least one inch apart, or they can place them on different arms. “Toddlers can place them on the same thigh at least an inch apart, or they can place them on different thighs.”
CDC
What happens if you don’t get the COVID-19 and influenza vaccine together?
Health authorities They highlight that if the vaccines They are not administered simultaneously, a period of time must be waited between the application of each one, Dr. Luisa Minelli Ortiz Gutiérrez from the Dr. Galo Soberón y Parra Health Center, in Mexico City, explained why:
“As soon as we get a vaccine, our immune system begins to recognize it and attacks the different particles that are being put inside the vaccine. If I get another vaccine in the first three days, I run the risk of the response being much greater.” because at that moment my body is fighting against the first vaccine.”
“It is not recommended to give one vaccine today and another the day after tomorrow, since they can generate an exacerbated immune response to the second vaccine.”
Luisa Minelli Ortiz Gutiérrez, doctor
In these cases, experts suggest that let a pass 14 day period between the first and second application of biologicals.
“If you have received another vaccine before the COVID-19 vaccine, you must wait 14 days to apply it. If you have received the COVID-19 vaccine and require another vaccine, you must also wait 14 days before taking the other vaccine.”
Ministry of Health of Mexico
Can the application of both vaccines cause any adverse reactions?
Vallejos Parás pointed out that outside of the more frequent mild reactions and known to the vaccine against COVID-19 and influenza, There is no evidence that the application of both vaccines may cause some collateral effect.
Among the adverse effects Mild symptoms that people may experience after applications include:
- Pain at the application site
- Redness in the area
- Heat
However, the specialist of the UNAM He stressed that these should disappear after 48 hours. This is due, according to the specialist, to the fact that so much the flu vaccine like some against COVID-19 They are recombinant vaccines, so they cannot cause the disease, and therefore have few adverse events.
“They are very safe vaccines, with few adverse events and many more benefits in the long run.”
Alfonso Vallejos Parás, UNAM Faculty of Medicine
