The new autumn vaccination campaign for 2023 has officially begun, and this year, the focus is on administering both the Covid and flu vaccines on the same day. The campaign, titled “Covid and seasonal flu vaccination campaign,” aims to streamline the vaccination process and save time for individuals. However, concerns about the potential risks of this approach have been raised, prompting experts to weigh in on the matter.
The Ministry of Health had already highlighted the possibility of combining immunizations in a circular from the Prevention Directorate. The circular emphasized that, barring specific indications or clinical evaluations, co-administration of the updated anti-Covid vaccines and other vaccines, particularly the anti-flu vaccine, is permissible.
According to Claudio Cricelli, the president of the Italian Society of General Medicine (SIMG), the concurrent administration of both vaccines poses no problems and is authorized by both the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA). In fact, Cricelli suggests that combining the vaccines could help save time for citizens and reduce the number of bookings by 50%. While it is preferable to administer the vaccines in separate arms or locations, Cricelli assures that there are no contraindications to receiving both vaccines.
Matteo Bassetti, the director of Infectious Diseases at the San Martino hospital in Genoa, supports the idea of simultaneous vaccination. He emphasizes that there is no risk in receiving the double vaccination for flu and Covid, pointing out that children often receive multiple vaccines on the same day without complications. From an organizational standpoint, Bassetti believes that administering both vaccines together is advantageous as it can be conveniently done in one visit to the doctor’s office or pharmacy.
To ensure effective communication about seasonal vaccinations, the Ministry of Health has also established a toll-free public utility number, 1500. This number is available from 8 am to 8 pm and aims to provide information on various vaccinations offered free of charge by the National Health Service, including those for Covid-19 prevention, influenza, and HPV (Papilloma virus).
As the autumn vaccination campaign begins, experts assert that the co-administration of the Covid and flu vaccines poses no risks. With the endorsement of health authorities and organizations, individuals can confidently receive both vaccinations on the same day, benefiting from a streamlined process and the convenience of combining these crucial immunizations.