What to Know About Getting Flu, COVID-19, and RSV Vaccines at the Same Time

Summary

What CDC knows

Some people may prefer to get their recommended flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines at the same time. You should consider getting these vaccines at the same time if making multiple visits to get additional vaccines would be difficult for you.

What CDC is doing

CDC has reviewed the available scientific evidence and concluded that people may get flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines at the same visit.

Getting multiple vaccines at the same time is safe

For some people, getting all of your recommended vaccines at a single appointment (often called coadministration) is the easiest way to stay up to date. The good news is that you may be able to get the flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines at the same time.

Scientific studies during the last three years indicate that it is safe to get both a flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same visit. Coadministration of flu vaccines and the new RSV vaccines was also found to be safe in clinical trials. While there is no clinical trial data on getting all three vaccines at the same time, CDC is continuing to monitor safety of RSV vaccines, as it does for all vaccines.

Getting multiple vaccines at the same visit may increase the risk of some side effects from vaccination. In one study, people were slightly more likely to have side effects when an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine was given along with a flu vaccine compared to people who got a COVID-19 vaccine alone. In clinical trials, people were slightly more likely to have side effects when flu and RSV vaccines were coadministered. When side effects do occur, they are typically mild to moderate, like arm pain, swelling, headache, and fatigue. These side effects are usually short-lived.

For people at higher risk of becoming seriously sick from flu, COVID-19, or RSV, the benefits of timely protection likely outweigh the possible risks of increased side effects.

There is no minimum waiting period between getting each vaccine

For people who prefer to get their recommended flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines at different visits, you don't need to wait a specific amount of time after the previous vaccine to get your next one.

If you are sick with a moderate or severe acute illness, you should wait until you recover to get vaccinated. If you have recently had COVID-19, you may choose to delay your next COVID-19 vaccine until three months after your illness, when immunity typically begins to wane.

Actions for the Public

• Whether you choose to get flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines at the same visit or at separate visits, the most important thing is that you get all vaccines recommended for you to protect yourself against these three potentially serious illnesses this fall and winter.
• Consider getting recommended flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines at the same visit if you may not be able to return to your provider, especially if you are at higher risk of getting seriously sick from flu, COVID-19, or RSV.
• Contact your healthcare provider if you have questions about getting your vaccines during a single visit.
• Use vaccines.gov to find flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
• If you are pregnant or the parent of an infant, talk to your healthcare provider about where you can find an RSV immunization to protect your baby from severe RSV illness.
• If you are 60 years or older, talk to your healthcare provider about whether RSV vaccination is right for you, and if so, where to get an RSV vaccine in your area.