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 had both yesterday, separate jabs, same time. This is in the North West.

Feeling pretty rough today and haven't previously reacted to either Flu or Covid booster (although this was my first time with Moderna/Spikevax).

Think I'd look to have them with a gap between in future. I was given this option when booking but thought it was more efficient to get both over with 🤒

The flu jab info came out weeks ago but I could only book a convenient appointment at the end of September. Meanwhile I was invited to attend for the Covid booster and am having that this afternoon. I presume it will be the new bivalent type but will be checking before I have it.

I’m late sixties.

Two separate jabs.

Now there are two names you wouldn’t expect to hear in the same sentence….

Russell has had John on his channel and some of their content overlaps now.

As I said, I've had my jabs, but it's important to have a look of where this might be going. Pfizer even sponsors the news in the USA, which is mind-boggling.

Pfizer even sponsors the news in the USA, which is mind-boggling.

Can you expand on this a bit? Pfizer has adverts on some TV programs, but I've never seen one for the vaccine.

It's on Russell Brands YouTube channel today. I'm not advocating anything, but would like more discussion.

The vaccine doesn't stop you getting covid, doesn't stop you passing it on, so is it even a vaccine??

I’m mid 50s with COPD and my GP has booked me for both in late October . However I’ve got a flu jab booked at a local pharmacy for the end of September and I’m not due a covid jab as I only had my spring booster a few weeks ago . I’m keeping the appt at the GP until after I’ve had the flu jab just in case there is an issue with the pharmacy supply ( like last year) . I assume I can then just book a covid booster in 6 months time .

The vaccine doesn't stop you getting covid, doesn't stop you passing it on, so is it even a vaccine??

No vaccines are 100% effective.

I thought we were past this on MN....

The vaccines reduce the likelihood of infection & transmission. Effectiveness should be substantially bolstered with vaccines that are designed against the current dominant variant.

If you do get infected, vaccination is associated with significantly better outcomes including milder illness, lower chance of serious illness/long term complications, and lower mortality rates.

If you're not convinced then no need to get vaccinated - it's an offer put forward to certain demographics.

Do we await invitation for the covid booster or can you just turn up? I can't get a clear picture online.

I think it is invitation only at the moment. They are working through priority groups.

Don’t try to just turn up if it’s anything like the place I went for my spring booster you would think that the reception staff were personally financing all the jabs with the level of interrogation .

Ha! Ok thanks both. I'm only pregnant for another few months so I wonder if I will get called in time. Will see.

Ring your doctor to ask about getting it. Your immune system is naturally suppressed in pregnancy, which makes vaccination more important.

So having failed to draw anyone in with “not tested on humans”, you thought you’d try another approach?

Here’s an article which may help to inform you:

link.healthline.com/click/631e659f7faad95b8c0e61af/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaGVhbHRobGluZS5jb20vaGVhbHRoLW5ld3Mvd2h5LXRoZS1uZXctY292aWQtMTktYm9vc3Rlci13YXMtYXV0aG9yaXplZC1iZWZvcmUtdGVzdGluZy1vbi1wZW9wbGU_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWVtYWlsLXNoYXJlJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zb2NpYWwtc2hhcmViYXItcmVmZXJyZWQtZGVza3RvcA/631e659f484933043104a932B2ce6dfb7

If it's combined they can fuck right off. I reacted severely to my one and only 'flu' jab

They can't be combined. Totally different handling and storage requirements.

Booked flu but haven't been offered booster yet

My husband was last week texted a link to book by his GP, he’s eligible as he’s over 50.
I’m over 50 and was advised to shield during the worst of the pandemic yet have had no invitation from either my GP or the NHS.

I found a link online to book and it was worded as if there’s a different jab for people with a weakened immune system (which I have, I have no spleen) and if you book this you could have to show evidence of why. I’d assumed that everyone would have the same jab, as before.

I’ve got to cancel my booking for next weekend after all, I’ve since tested positive.

Anyway, this is what it said on the confirmation -

If you booked a dose for people with a weakened immune system
To be eligible you'll need to either:

currently have a weakened immune system (booster only)
have had a severely weakened immune system at the time of your 1st or 2nd dose
Someone at the site will talk to you and check your evidence to make sure you're eligible for a booster dose.

Examples of things you can bring to show that you're eligible include:

a letter from a GP or a hospital specialist asking you to get a booster for people with a weakened immune system
a hospital letter that describes the condition or treatment causing you to have a weakened immune system
a prescription or a medicine box with your name and the date showing when the medicine was prescribed - this must be for the condition or treatment causing you to have a weakened immune system
Information:
If you think you're eligible but you do not have a suitable letter, prescription or medicine box, you may still be able to receive your vaccination.

@MadisonAvenue the info you’ve quoted is for the spring booster , not the winter booster for everyone over 50 . The spring booster was for over 75s and under 75s with a weakened immune system .

@Floralnomad No it’s not, as you’ll see in the attached screenshot. That information which I’ve quoted is from the confirmation I received after booking the Autumn booster last Wednesday.

As I’ve tested positive since booking I’ve just cancelled my appointment for next weekend and rebooked and the same info has been shown.

It must vary from area to area. My dh experimentally checked and couldn't book it. We've been told there are no unapproved walk ins due to insufficient supply.

If you have the NHS app have a look on there. I can’t book any regular appts for my gp or nurse in there at my surgery, but there are several options to book flu and covid vaccinations. I booked to have them both at the same time in the 50-65 clinic. They had them together or separate, and different categories of patient.

@MadisonAvenue is the information for under 50s trying to book it then as over 50s can have it anyway , but our GP has said you have to wait for an invite .