Influenza virus is a major cause of acute respiratory infections. It has a high mortality rate among pregnant women, the elderly, and patients with chronic diseases. Influenza vaccination helps reduce the severity of illness and death from complications of influenza and decreases the spread of influenza, which can lead to large outbreaks.
According to statistics, 8 out of 10 people who died from COVID-19 in the United States were over 65 years old. Data on COVID-19 deaths in Thailand show that individuals with underlying conditions have risk factors for death as follows: hypertension 73%, diabetes 55%, hyperlipidemia 30%, chronic kidney disease 17%, heart disease 13%, blood disorders 8%, tuberculosis 8%.
Influenza and COVID-19 are both respiratory infectious diseases and have similar symptoms. Preventing influenza by vaccination can help reduce confusion in screening for co-infections between influenza and COVID-19.
A study in the United Kingdom found that patients co-infected with COVID-19 and influenza have a 5.92 times higher risk of death than those without co-infection. Therefore, vaccination against both influenza and COVID-19 is very important.
Additionally, studies in the elderly group found that those who received the influenza vaccine tend to have a reduced mortality rate from COVID-19. Receiving the influenza vaccine before COVID-19 infection can reduce hospitalization rates, the use of ventilators, and the length of hospital stays.
When should the influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine be administered, and how far apart?
- If you have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine, you should get the influenza vaccine first to maximize protection and reduce the severity of both diseases. It is recommended to wait at least 2-4 weeks before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
- If the influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine are available at the same time, get the COVID-19 vaccine first, then wait 2-4 weeks before getting the influenza vaccine.
- For those under 18 years old, the influenza vaccine can be given immediately, as there is currently insufficient data on COVID-19 vaccines for this age group in Thailand.
Regarding COVID-19 vaccination with other vaccines, previous CDC recommendations advised a 14-day interval. However, as of the latest update (14th May 2021), the CDC recommends that COVID-19 vaccines can be administered on the same day as other vaccines. Consideration should be given to the necessity of the vaccine, disease risk, and potential side effects of the vaccines involved.
