A person attending an appointment for the Covid-19 vaccine booster shot at a health centre can also request to have the flu vaccine in the same appointment, a Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) official has said.
"Not only is it convenient, but it also ensures that you are protected against the flu and Covid-19," said Dr Zienab Shehata, public health co-ordinator and family medicine specialist, PHCC, in a video message on social media.
"Influenza and Covid-19 are both infectious respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. The flu vaccine does not protect you from Covid-19 and the Covid-19 vaccine does not protect you from flu. Clinical studies have shown it is safe and effective for people to have both the flu and Covid-19 vaccines at the same time," she explained.
"There is no evidence to show that getting both the flu shot and the Covid-19 vaccine at the same time produces additional or extra side effects," Dr Shehata stressed. "The World Health Organisation has urged people across the globe to get flu vaccines this year, particularly those who are most vulnerable to severe symptoms, such as those over 50 or with chronic conditions."
"When you attend your appointment for your Covid-19 booster dose at our health centres, you can also request to have the flu vaccine in the same appointment. Not only is it convenient, but it also ensures that you are protected against the flu and Covid-19," she advised.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) reiterated that Covid-19 vaccines significantly reduce the chances of getting severe infection and becoming very sick or dying.
"Not only is it convenient, but it also ensures that you are protected against the flu and Covid-19," said Dr Zienab Shehata, public health co-ordinator and family medicine specialist, PHCC, in a video message on social media.
"Influenza and Covid-19 are both infectious respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. The flu vaccine does not protect you from Covid-19 and the Covid-19 vaccine does not protect you from flu. Clinical studies have shown it is safe and effective for people to have both the flu and Covid-19 vaccines at the same time," she explained.
"There is no evidence to show that getting both the flu shot and the Covid-19 vaccine at the same time produces additional or extra side effects," Dr Shehata stressed. "The World Health Organisation has urged people across the globe to get flu vaccines this year, particularly those who are most vulnerable to severe symptoms, such as those over 50 or with chronic conditions."
"When you attend your appointment for your Covid-19 booster dose at our health centres, you can also request to have the flu vaccine in the same appointment. Not only is it convenient, but it also ensures that you are protected against the flu and Covid-19," she advised.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) reiterated that Covid-19 vaccines significantly reduce the chances of getting severe infection and becoming very sick or dying.
