GlobalHealth Threats

The WHO has issued interim guidance in regards to receiving seasonal flu vaccination at the same time as COVID-19 vaccination. The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization met on 7 October to review the available information. Of note with regards to the pandemic and seasonal flu, detection of influenza virus declined significantly during the pandemic. This is likely due to lockdown measures intended to slow the spread of COVID-19, and not an indication that surveillance is lacking. Coadministration of seasonal influenza vaccines with COVID-19 vaccines is already occurring in many countries, and this has many potential benefits, including greater uptake of both vaccines, which will lead to a decrease in the burden on healthcare.

According to the report, data was not available until recently regarding safety when both vaccines are administered together. Because of the lack of data, WHO initially recommended waiting 14 days between receiving COVID-19 vaccination and any other vaccine. The limited evidence available to SAGE in October found “…coadministration of COVID-19 vaccines with inactivated vaccines is acceptable in terms of immunogenicity and reactogenicity.” In their recommendation, countries are advised to consider coadministration. Despite the limited evidence, so far there is no evidence of an increase in adverse effects.  Based on this the WHO felt “…coadministration of an inactivated seasonal influenza vaccine and any dose of a COVID-19 vaccine is acceptable, given that the known risk of serious illness for adults infected with influenza virus or SARS-CoV-2 is substantial.”