COVID-19 and the Flu: What You Should Know

By getting the flu shot, you can get better protection for yourself, and help better protect your loved ones and your community. It can also help reduce the saturation of health care systems as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

In turn, this can help reduce the chance of a double pandemic occurring. This means that there would be two epidemics at the same time.

COVID-19 and the flu share many similar symptoms. Getting the flu shot reduces the chance of getting the flu. This can help ensure more accurate diagnosis and treatment of your symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 and the Flu

Is it safe for me to get the flu vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Doctors’ offices, hospitals, and pharmacies are working hard to protect against the spread of COVID-19.

At a minimum, all centers should require the use of cloth face shields or masks and the practice of social distancing.

Check with the center you plan to visit. You may need to follow a specific process to get the vaccine. This could include making an appointment or having your temperature taken.

When you leave your home and get vaccinated, remember to practice social distancing and wear a cloth face shield.

Can I get the flu vaccine if I have COVID-19 or if there is a possibility that I have this illness?

No. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have been tested and tested positive, stay home.

Be sure to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advice for practicing self-quarantine after testing positive or during recovery.

You can also ask your primary care doctor when it is safe to get the flu shot.

Will the flu vaccine protect me from COVID-19?

No. However, the flu vaccine has many other important benefits. It can reduce the risk of getting the flu, the risk of hospitalization, and the risk of death. Getting the flu shot this fall will be more important than ever. Not only will you reduce your risk of getting the flu, but it will also help conserve health care resources that are already saturated.

Can the flu vaccine increase my risk of getting COVID-19?

No. According to the CDC, there is no evidence that getting a flu shot increases your risk of getting COVID-19.

What is the difference between influenza (flu) and COVID-19?

Influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are contagious respiratory diseases. However, both are caused by different viruses.

COVID-19 is the result of infection with a new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2). The flu is the result of infection with influenza viruses.

Many of the symptoms of the flu and COVID-19 are similar. For this reason, you may need a test to help confirm a diagnosis.

The CDC points out these main differences between the two diseases:

• If you experience a new loss of taste or smell, that could indicate COVID-19 instead of the flu.
• If you have COVID-19, it may take longer for symptoms to develop than with the flu.
• If you have COVID-19, the period of contagion may be longer than that of the flu.
• COVID-19 is more contagious than the flu in certain populations and for certain age groups. Additionally, COVID-19 has been observed to have more “super-spread” events than influenza. This means that the virus that causes COVID-19 can spread quickly. It can easily reach large numbers of people and then continue to spread through the population.
• For healthy children, the risk of complications is greater with the flu than with COVID-19. However, infants and children with underlying health problems are at increased risk for complications from both the flu and COVID-19.

Learn more about COVID-19

Learn more about the flu

Will there be flu and COVID-19 during the fall and winter?

The CDC believes it is likely. In this context, getting the flu vaccine will be more important than ever to avoid a double pandemic. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older (except rarely) get the flu shot.

Can I have the flu and COVID-19 at the same time?

Yes. Health experts are still evaluating how common this could be.

Many of the symptoms of the flu and COVID-19 are similar. This makes it difficult to identify the differences between the two diseases just by assessing the symptoms. Diagnostic tests can help determine if you have the flu or COVID-19. If you notice any change in your symptoms, contact your doctor.

Is COVID-19 more dangerous than the flu?

Both the flu and COVID-19 can become serious illnesses. That is, both may require hospitalization or cause death. There is still much to learn about COVID-19. It seems that COVID-19 is more deadly than seasonal flu. However, it is too early to draw conclusions from the current data. This may change as we learn more about the number of people who have mild illnesses, or who test positive for the virus, but have no symptoms.

Is there a test that can detect both the flu and COVID-19?

Yes, but the public cannot easily access it. CDC developed a test that is capable of detecting seasonal flu virus types A and B and SARS CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

This test will be used in public health laboratories in the United States. According to the CDC, testing for these viruses at the same time will give public health officials important information about how the flu and COVID-19 are spreading.

Will the new test that detects both the flu and COVID-19 replace the other tests?

No. This new test is designed for use in public health laboratories that are endorsed by the CDC. This specialized test will be used specifically for public health monitoring purposes. It will not replace any of the tests currently used with the public.

For more details on COVID-19 testing, visit our COVID-19 testing FAQ.

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