Bloody hell - covid booster and flu jab hell

[purpleflowerlegs]

Just a woe is me.

NHS worker. Had my covid booster and flu jab together on Friday - 1 in each arm. I feel DREADFUL. My arms are bruised and dead feeling - can't lift them up, carry stuff or drive etc and can't sleep - every time I move it's bloody agony.

I'm quite sensitive to jabs anyway. Previous covid jabs made me feel sick and headachy (not this time though) - but I'm always used to have my good arm free. Not this time - 1 in each arm is brutal!

Had my 3rd dose of Pfizer and flu Jag for the first time this morning at 11.30 and other than the odd twinge in my COVID arm, so far so good... Fingers crossed I'm still fine in the morning!

I think some of the confusion has come from different advice in the documents relating to the various vaccines.
When the initial flu paperwork came out for this season it said to allow a week between any jabs.
Then old BoJo announced it could be done simultaneously in a press conference.
Then there were epic supply chain issues and a lot of confusion over the timing of the covid boosters, plus many more places are able to give flu jabs than covid, and people have the option to pay for that as well as the nhs scheme. So you have pharmacies, surgeries, mass vacc centres all operating with different guidance and options.
The company I work for covers many of these different centres. We have been advised that it is safe to give them together, there is no reason to think it’s not. They are different vaccines and as many have said, there is nothing new in giving multiple vaccines in one go.
Personally and professionally I prefer to leave a week if possible, as then if there are any issues that arise you know which vaccine has caused it. Both vaccines are black triangle medicines, meaning they are new and all side effects should be reported.
For me, as a pharmacy professional of over 20 years, I am always in favour of caution when it comes to new medicines. But that’s me.
There are also risks in delaying vaccination. So it’s a balancing act, as ever.
Having both arms out of action, even for a day, would be a problem for many.
Just trying to explain a bit about how my decision making has worked on this. But in terms of safety, I’m sure it will be fine for the vast majority.

@PastMyBestBeforeDate

Tatty that's interesting. I'm CEV and immunosuppressed and nobody batted an eyelid at me having both together.

Official NHS advice is that both can be given together and thank god, because the flu programme alone takes a lot of effort and now it's open to people from age 50+! So add that to all the covid boosters. People already moan they can't get a doctor's appointment! Who do you think are doing the covid clinics?

82 year old mum had two in the same arm a week ago - no issues.

Not quite sure why you're having a go at me Green? I was invited for a jab and when I arrived they were giving both. I made them aware of my medical status, they happily gave me both. I had both.
I haven't moaned at all.

@PastMyBestBeforeDate

Not quite sure why you're having a go at me Green? I was invited for a jab and when I arrived they were giving both. I made them aware of my medical status, they happily gave me both. I had both. I haven't moaned at all.

I wasn't having a go at you. I quoted your post but was responding generally. Sorry for the confusion.

Reading back, it did look like I was having a go at you. I wasn't...sorry

Thanks Green. :)

@VicSynix

I'm NHS, my particular bit (GP surgery) was told very firmly to have them separately! Had the flu one a couple of weeks ago, booster on Thursday, zero ill effects. A friend went to the mass vax centre for hers and was told off for booking them both for same day - should be at least 7 days between.

So yes, get your jabs, but if you have ever reacted to a flu jab or weren't well after your Covid vax, maybe don't have both on the same day.

Bonkers then, that at my DD secondary school last week they were giving all 12+ KIDS flu and covid vaccinations on the same day. what the hell is going on!

The JCVI has said that the ComFluCOV trial indicates that co-administration of the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines is generally well tolerated with no reduction in immune response to either vaccine. Therefore, the two vaccines may be co-administered where operationally practical.

www.bmj.com/content/375/bmj.n2411

Two sources from that state it’s safe to have both at once. The NHS has been told they can give both together as the JCVI Have stated it’s safe.

I wouldn't have the two jabs together, I feel it's wrong to have two different types of vaccines put in your body at the same time. But then again, I don't ever have the flu jab.

Oh no I don't think I could've coped with both arms being sore. My first covid jab ached almost straight away and I really struggled to sleep and lift arm. I had annoying tingling in thumb & forefinger which I assumed was swelling pressing on a nerve & it thankfully passed following day or 2 but arm really ached for about 4 days.
When I went back for 2nd jab and mentioned it he said jab was administered too high up so can do some weird stuff going into shoulder cavity, the 2nd ached but wasn't anywhere near as uncomfortable and passed quicker.

I've not had flu jab before but am considering paying for one this year.

I thought that the manufacturer advice varied from a 1 week gap or a 2 week gap for those jabs. When they do them together in schools, the flu is nasal, not jab. I hope you feel better soon. I am surprised the NHS is doing them together though.

48 hours on (well, 47 actually) I feel fine again. Arms slightly sore but that’s all. Very pleased to have had the vaccines.

This will be me - COVID booster Friday, flu jab Saturday. Going to make sure I have food in and just curl up on the sofa with cats and crap telly and get it over with.

So I had mine on Saturday, one in each arm. Only the covid arm is still sore.
Yesterday I spent the day on the sofa, just so tired and achy.
Today I feel better but have a headache.
Still, I'd rather put up with a few days of tiredness than be in hospital with covid, and I've got flu and covid booster out of the way on the same day

@LadyLolaRuben

I was told by a vet 20 years ago never to have different vaccines on the same day as its asking too much of your body. Ive always taken that advice

Babies are given about 6 in one go when they are 8 weeks old...

24 hours from my jags I'm still fine, wee bit of a sore arm but nothing with the flu Jag.

Been out and about all day too 🙂

I've just found out my DD's school is doing them on the same day. I'm sure it's safe but it'll be a pain if she's under the weather the next day (developed world problem I know).

My eldests school is doing them over a month apart. Same town.

@LadyLolaRuben

I was told by a vet 20 years ago never to have different vaccines on the same day as its asking too much of your body. Ive always taken that advice

A vet? Maybe they meant for rabbits 🙄

@LadyLolaRuben could you please come back and explain? We're all wondering what became of this dentist and why he felt the need to offer his opinion on vaccine timings in humans 😂

I had my two last week. Very mildly sore arms and that was it. Was able to go for my planned run the next day.

This will be me - COVID booster Friday, flu jab Saturday. Going to make sure I have food in and just curl up on the sofa with cats and crap telly and get it over with

I had both mine (flu vaccine and covid booster, together) last week. I’ve had no problems whatsoever, not even a dead arm.

I stocked up on snacks and wine on Saturday night to watch Netflicks tho 😉

Hope you feel better soon OP. As an NHS worker I get the flu jab every year for patient protection, despite always feeling crap afterwards and dreading it. Had my covid booster and flu jab double whammy at the weekend- both arms were sore for 24 hours afterwards and subsequently I had one night of terrible sleep. But other than that it's actually been fine and my best experience of having the jabs. (Just in case that gives hope to other people!)

Where I live they are currently doing flu jabs & 1st (& only at the moment) covid vaccines for 12-16 year olds at the same time.