The Covid vaccine can be administered together with the flu vaccine. There is the green light from the Ministry of Health: a circular signed by the director of prevention Giovanni Rezza authorizes its combined use. But the drug that protects against seasonal ailments is not the only one.
What vaccines
According to the circular, all the vaccines provided for by the National Prevention Plan can accompany the administration of the one against Covid. There is no need to wait: the inoculation can take place before, after or together. “Two acts of prevention that can now also take place in a single moment,” said Health Minister Roberto Speranza.
However, live attenuated vaccines are an exception, ie those that base their immunizing properties on the pathogen, which is weakened and used as a tool to “train” the immune system to respond to external threats. For these drugs it is necessary to delay the inoculation of at least 14 days compared to that of the anti Covid vaccine.
These are vaccines for yellow fever, herpes zoster, measles-mumps-rubella, rotavirus, typhus and chicken pox. They are used for the protection of children (as in the case of measles) or are part of the standard prophylaxis for travelers wishing to move to areas at risk.
Protect the frail
The objective of the ministerial experts is to guarantee the protection of the most fragile subjects, exposed to the risks of Covid as well as those of influenza. Who are in the position of having to receive two vaccines: “It is possible that some categories for which seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended are at the same time eligible for anti-Covid vaccination.” A case that may concern the frail, for which the third “booster” dose is planned, or for the audience of over 60 not yet protected against the coronavirus who intend to catch up. In any case, both vaccinations are free, like all those provided.
Good practice
But experts warn: “The possible lack of availability of one of the two vaccines must not become a reason for delaying the administration of the other.” A warning to remember that, both with Covid and with the flu, protection should not be postponed. This is a decision in line with the indications of Ecdc, the European center for disease control. Vaccination against seasonal flu, particularly for vulnerable individuals and health workers, “will be essential to mitigate the impact on people and health systems of the potential co-circulation of the two viruses in the coming months.”