Flu vaccine can protect you from COVID, study finds

The coronavirus vaccine is distributed across the United States, but many Americans have found it not so easy to get an appointment to get the vaccine. And many people aren’t even eligible for the vaccine yet, as most states have prioritized immunization appointments for healthcare workers, people over 65, and people with sub-diseases. underlying. As it turns out, however, new research has revealed that a previous vaccine may already protect you from COVID. Read on to find out if you’re up to date on this important vaccination, and to find out more about the COVID vaccine, the CDC says these 3 side effects mean your vaccine is working.

A study published on February 22 in the American Journal of Infection Control used data from more than 27,000 people tested for COVID between February 27 and July 15 in the Michigan Medicine health system. Of this group, the researchers reported that only 47.8% had received the flu shot in the past year (between August 1 and July 15), while 52% had not. Putting together the number of positive cases in the two groups, the researchers found that the chances of testing positive for COVID were reduced by 24% for patients who had been vaccinated against the flu compared to those who had not. not been. And for more things that might protect you, if you have this in your blood, you may be safe from serious COVID.

If you do end up contracting the virus, researchers also found that those who had been vaccinated against the flu were less likely to be hospitalized for COVID. Compared to those who have not been vaccinated against the flu, the chances of a COVID patient vaccinated against the flu requiring hospitalization have been reduced by 42%. According to the study, if you are hospitalized you are also less likely to need mechanical ventilation and more likely to have a shorter stay if you have received the flu shot. The researchers concluded that “influenza vaccination is associated with decreased positive COVID-19 tests and better clinical outcomes.” And for more information on severe coronaviruses, if you’ve had this common disease, you’re more likely to die from COVID.

Only 13.4% of Americans have received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine so far, according to data from NPR. In the meantime, many people are still vulnerable to serious illness from COVID, while estimates of vaccine availability for the general population are pushed further back. This is why researchers say the flu vaccine should be encouraged for those who are not yet eligible for the COVID vaccine, as it appears to not only reduce the likelihood of contracting the virus, but also the likelihood of severe COVID. .

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 48.4% of adults 18 years and older received the flu shot during the 2019-2020 season, underscoring the need for promotion and additional coverage. “Until the COVID-19 vaccine becomes widely available, the influenza vaccine should be promoted to reduce the burden of disease during this pandemic,” the researchers said in their study. And for more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter.

If you are about to get the coronavirus shot, don’t run for the flu shot for extra protection. According to the CDC, you shouldn’t get another vaccine within two weeks of your COVID shot, and that includes the flu shot. The agency says a “lack of data on the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines given concurrently with other vaccines” is why they put these guidelines in place. You must wait at least 14 days after either vaccine to get the other. And for more vaccine advice, the CDC warns you not to do this right before you get your shot.