Next Covid booster combined with flu jab?

[Dilbertian]

Have I imagined it, or was it announced that the next round of Covid boosters will be a combined new-variant Covid plus winter flu jab?

Winter flu jabs are being rolled out now, and I want to get mine asap. But if the covid jab is a combined one, will I be able to have it if Ive recently been jabbed against flu?

I'm over 50, so am eligible for both jabs.

I sont think the flu one will be in the same injection as the covid one but will be 2 separate ones given on the same day.

It's 2 separate jabs but given at the same time to save 2 appointments, if you've already had flu you can just get the covid booster

If that's the case I'd want to go ahead and get the flu one ASAP. I'd rather get two lots of mild side-effects, and have a chance to recover from each, than get a double whammy.

I had my covid booster today and flu jag, the booster is a mix that covers the Delta and Omicron variant, the flu jag is separate, All nhs staff are being given it now if they want it I'm in Scotland.

Mine are a few days apart. I've no idea why they aren't running the clinics together.

I’ve got my two booked for the same appt in a few weeks time. Would rather just feel like shit once (if it happens at all) than twice to be honest. Actually haven’t had any reaction other than a mild sore arm from the flu jab ever, so not really too concerned about it. Saves on using up too many nurse appts too.

I had the Covid booster in one arm and the flu jab in the other at the same time last November. One arm ached the first day, the other arm ached the second day.

I did get an “I’ve been brave” sticker which probably fended off the worst side effects.

Probably related to supply and delivery issues. Surgeries often have no control over when Covid and flu vaccines are delivered so can’t always offer them together.

As an example, we won’t receive our flu jabs until the end of September and haven’t been commissioned to give Covid boosters so patients won’t be able to get them at the same time. They’ll need to go elsewhere for their Covid booster.

I may be wrong but I thought I had read that they are no longer giving NHS flu jabs to over 50s with no other health issues - it is for over 65s only (unless you get due to health issues or are a carer ) . This was something they did specifically for Covid pandemic .

Then I'll get a flu jab privately.

Are we being offered the covid boosters that haven't been tested on humans? See Russell Brand and Dr John Campbell. I've previously had all my jabs but am very interested in this.

Russell Brand isn't a human but is being used as a test subject?

I suppose that must be interesting.

Really??

From the NHS page….

“Starting from mid-October, people aged 50 years old or over (including those who will be 50 years old by 31 March 2023) can have a free NHS flu vaccine. This is so at-risk groups can be offered vaccination first.

If you’re in this age group and have a long-term health condition that puts you at risk from flu, you do not have to wait until mid-October”

It was covid that prompted them to expand the flu vaccine to age 50+ rather than only give it to the older age group. They also started giving it to all school age children in Scotland rather than just primary age children (don't know about the rest of the UK)

That makes a huge amount of sense Sidge. I hadn't linked the Covid vaccine supply issues with the flu jab campaign, doh.

And that's not even what you said. I should read what people have written, rather than what I think they've written. . I hadn't realised that there was also a delay in flu jabs in some areas. Though I'm sure, I'm getting mine earlier than recent years this year.

Thanks @Crazycatstory I don't know what I read then - I can't remember where I saw it but it was a couple of weeks back.

I'm late 50s and had said to DH we would get them done at a pharmacy but will see if we hear anything from our GP first .

The flu jab is being offered at the same appointment as the new bivalent covid booster in the US. They are, of course, separate injections. I had my flu jab last week and I get the new Pfizer booster today. DS had his yesterday and seems fine today.

I'm in my 60s so I don't yhink I'm due for a covid booster yet. But I'm boked in for my flu jab at Boots in Octobee. The appointment takes longer in the chemists than at the doctors because of the paperwork but you can get it earlier.

I had both last year at the same appointment and have had a text the other day to say they will be offering both together again this year (but to wait until invited to make an appointment). Last year I booked the covid appointment and when going through the questions was asked if I would like a flu jab at the same time.

I am I NZ and both on the same day together with a tetanus booster. Slight sore arm that just had the flu jab which lasted about 24 hours.

I am in NZ that should say. Obviously having 3 together left me unable to type.

Over 50s will be offered the autumn booster

Seasonal booster
You can have a seasonal booster dose (autumn booster) of the COVID-19 vaccine if you are:

-aged 50 or over
-pregnant
-aged 5 to 49 and at high risk due to a health condition
-aged 5 to 49 and at high risk because of a weakened immune system
-aged 5 to 49 and live with someone who has a weakened immune system
-aged 16 to 49 and are a carer
-living or working in a care home for older people
-a frontline health and social care worker

Thank you @dementedpixie . They called my mum but not me so I just thought I had to wait til they'd gone down the tiers. I'll go on the website and see if I can get myself an appointment. That's very kind of you to go to that trouble. .