[New] O p - E D

C O V I D - 1 9 a n d F l u Va c c i n e s

ity to protect someone from both the original COVID-19 as well as the Omicron variants BA 4 and BA 5

Even if someone may have already recovered from COVID-19, we still recommend getting the vaccine and its boosters to provide additional protection should reinfection occur

Who is eligible for the booster and when should you get it?

These bivalent COVID boosters became available on September 2, 2022 for patients 5 years of age and older

The CDC suggests getting a bivalent booster 2 months after your last primary series dose, original booster, or any other COVID-19 booster1

If you recently had COVID-19, we recommend you wait about 3 months after symptom onset or first positive test result to receive the primary dose or booster

Once someone completes their primary series of COVID-19 vaccines and gets the most recent booster, they are considered up-to-date

As of January 2022, only 54 5% of all eligible San Bernardino residents are fully vaccinated

Approximately 64% of all eligible San Bernardino residents have received any kind of COVID-19 vaccine This falls short of California’s vaccination goal set at 75%2

What are the side effects from the COVID-19 booster?

Some common side effects include mild to moderate fever, headaches, fatigue, and pain at the injection site3 To alleviate any pain or swelling, apply a cool, clean washcloth on the injection site

You may use or rest your arm depending on what helps more For fevers, make sure to stay hydrated and dress in comfortable clothes

Consult with a physician if you are considering taking any over-thecounter pain relievers like ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen4

What about the flu vaccine?

The flu vaccine specifically combats the influenza virus that causes the common flu Since this virus mutates very frequently, a flu shot is created and distributed annually

We recommend patients get the flu vaccine as soon as possible

Flu season commonly peaks in late fall or early winter, so getting the vaccine earlier can provide extra protection against the virus when it is strongest

The flu season in the Southern Hemisphere has reportedly been worse this year As of October 9, 2022, there have been 225,332 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases in Australia, which is a lot more than in previous years5

Although the number of flu cases has been lower over the past 2 years, this is likely due to quarantine and fewer social activities

As we return to frequent socializations, flu activity is expected to be higher

Can I get both the COVID-19 booster and flu shot at the same time?

Yes, it is safe to get both simultaneously However, the side effects of each vaccine could add up together

If possible, it may be more beneficial to give yourself some time in between the two so you do not feel too sick Many pharmacies also offer the flu and Covid vaccines

Check with your local neighborhood pharmacy to see if they have them in stock as this may offer more convenience than waiting for an appointment

Hopefully this clears up any confusion regarding the COVID-19 booster and the flu vaccine As always, we encourage you to reach out to your primary care provider for any other questions or explanations needed!

*These are not the views of Inland Empire Community News