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Montauk6

(8,079 posts)
Thu Sep 28, 2023, 10:28 PM Sep 2023

Has anyone ever gotten a COVID and Shingles booster at the same time?

I'm due for the former and overdue for the latter but I heard it can be a rough go when you double these up.

Also, what about the COVID booster and a flu shot? Do they play well together? Just trying to save a trip or two. Thanks!

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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bullimiami

(13,103 posts)
1. me too. due for the 2nd shingles and want to get the booster and flu.
Thu Sep 28, 2023, 10:37 PM
Sep 2023

I've heard from others that the 2nd shingles is a butt kicker.

MIGuy

(14 posts)
2. Muli-shot
Thu Sep 28, 2023, 10:38 PM
Sep 2023

I got Shingtex and Tetanus in one arm, COVID in the other. Injection site soreness, most I've ever had, for days but no other side effects.

luvallpeeps

(935 posts)
3. My cousin did.
Thu Sep 28, 2023, 10:39 PM
Sep 2023

She actually got 3 at once! Shingles, flu & covid booster. She doesn’t recommend it. I got the flu and covid booster at the same time for the last 2 yrs. No problems. I think it’s the shingles that does it, but what do i know? Everyone is different. Good luck either way. 💉🩹

Opbrg

(85 posts)
4. They will tell you can get them together but
Thu Sep 28, 2023, 10:41 PM
Sep 2023

when I got a COVID booster and a flu shot year before last I ended up in the ER with a bout of colitis. I never had it before and have never had colitis since so I don't think it was a coincidence.

Montauk6

(8,079 posts)
13. That's so wild you mentioned that!
Sat Sep 30, 2023, 11:49 AM
Sep 2023

So, I ended up just getting the COVID and flu shot yesterday, the pharmacist confirmed that it's not a good idea to mix shingles in.

But I TOO went to the ER later (got home early this morning) but this was a coincidence because I'd been having knee pain and inflammation along with redness and heat to the touch. I'd already had 2 joint infection surgeries, so my ortho advised that I get it checked out. Thankfully, there was no infection.

duhneece

(4,117 posts)
5. I had 3 at once-shingles, flu and Covid vaccinations together
Thu Sep 28, 2023, 10:41 PM
Sep 2023

I can’t stress enough to keep your arm in motion.
Actually, not as bad as I feared and not as bad as first ( I can’t remember if it was Covid or shingles) but I only moved my arm around a little.

appalachiablue

(41,171 posts)
6. I need those but won't mix in the shingles, it can be whopper. Drinking water before
Thu Sep 28, 2023, 10:46 PM
Sep 2023

the Covid shot is recommended by many folks. Good luck!

BigmanPigman

(51,627 posts)
7. I did, as well as the flu shot.
Thu Sep 28, 2023, 11:03 PM
Sep 2023

I usually get a little reaction to both Covid and Flu shots but the Shingles shots were a whole different reaction. It was so sore that I mentioned it to the person at CVS who gave them to me. He said the Shingles shot is often very, very sore for a while afterwards. It was!!!!! Since I know people who had Shingles and they told me what it is like I was not a baby and sucked it up.

By the way, I get 32 injections of Botox into my scalp, neck and shoulders every three months and those HURT LIKE HELL! You can even near the needle go "crunch, crunch" as it goes through to the skull since the shots are around the ears too. No fun!!!!! And it hurts almost as much when I have to pay what Blue Shield won't cover.

unc70

(6,119 posts)
8. Have had shingles. Getting Shingrix on Friday
Thu Sep 28, 2023, 11:41 PM
Sep 2023

Got Zostavax vaccine years ago. Several years ago I had a relatively mild case of shingles -- mild rash but bad nerve pain. Zostavax likely helped a lot.

Several of my Covid shots have triggered a shingles recurrence along with the other typical side effects. Hope by getting Shingrix first that I might avoid the shingles flare up this time. Then will get the various other shots during the next month.

nilram

(2,893 posts)
9. People do it. I wouldn't.
Fri Sep 29, 2023, 12:44 AM
Sep 2023

Some doctor I read said it's fine to get them all at once, but better to space them out. If it's too onerous to travel to where you get your shots, then get them all together.

I'd rather let my body develop a good reaction one at a time. And I've heard that the shingles vaccine can tire you out so I don't want to have all three of them messing with me. This is reminding me that I should get the Shingrix this weekend.

I'm waiting for Novavax (for the Covid vaccine), I've read that it will provide a better and longer-lasting immune response in the upper respiratory system than mRNA vaccines. Hopefully it'll be available in a couple weeks (?). It has CDC approval, it's waiting on the FDA. If it's stymied by a government shutdown then I'll think about Moderna. (I've had both Moderna & Pyser, good to mix them up), but I really think Novavax will provide better protection.

And then I'll get my flu vaccine, closer to the flu season.

Journeyman

(15,038 posts)
10. I had Shingrix together with a flu shot, and Covid combined with flu at a separate time . . .
Fri Sep 29, 2023, 12:52 AM
Sep 2023

Other than sore arms, I was fine. But then, I've never had a negative reaction to any of those shots by themselves.

I'll get Covid with flu next week (I hope, if the Covid comes in to my pharmacy) and don't expect any untoward effects. If I think of it, I'll let you know how it works out this time.

I wouldn't advise taking multiple shots at once, given how so many have strong reactions to any of these three shots, but YMMV.

Duppers

(28,127 posts)
11. Yes, I agree with posters above: DON'T.
Fri Sep 29, 2023, 08:01 AM
Sep 2023

I had a COVID & flu shot yesterday and it's really kicked me hard.

Not only couldn't I cook last night but i almost fainted in the kitchen. DH helped me to the sofa where I stayed for hrs.

dameatball

(7,399 posts)
12. I got the Covid and flu shots together yesterday. Other than a bit of soreness no problem so far.
Fri Sep 29, 2023, 08:53 AM
Sep 2023

As far as I can recall, I have never gotten the Covid vaccine and the shingles shot together.

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