The coronavirus vaccine is spread across the US, but many Americans have found it not so easy to make an appointment to get the chance. And many people are not even able to get the vaccine yet, as most countries have prioritized vaccinations for health workers, older than 65 and people with underlying conditions. As it turns out, however, new research has found that a previous vaccine may protect you against COVID. Read on to find out if you are aware of this important vaccine, and for more information on the COVID vaccine, says the CDC. These three side effects mean that your vaccination works.
A study conducted on February 22 in the American Journal of Infection Control uses data from more than 27,000 people tested for COVID in the Michigan Medicine healthcare system between Feb. 27 and July 15. Of the group, researchers reported that only 47.8 percent received the flu vaccine in the past year (between August 1 and July 15), while 52 percent did not. Collecting the number of positive cases from the two groups, researchers found that the chance of testing positive for COVID was reduced by 24 percent for patients vaccinated against the flu, compared to those who had not yet. And if you have it in your blood, you can be safe from severe COVID.
If you eventually contracted the virus, the researchers also found that those who received the flu vaccine were less likely to be admitted to the hospital for COVID. Compared to those who did not receive the flu vaccine, the chance that a COVID patient had to be vaccinated with the flu was reduced by 42 percent. According to the study, you are less likely to have mechanical ventilation if you are admitted to hospital, and you will need a shorter stay if you received the flu vaccine. The researchers concluded that “influenza vaccination is associated with reduced positive COVID-19 testing and improved clinical outcomes.” And for more news on severe coronavirus: If you had this common disease, you’re more likely to die from COVID.
Only 13.4 percent of Americans have received at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine so far, according to NPR data. Meanwhile, many people are still vulnerable to serious diseases due to COVID, while the calculation of the availability of vaccines for the general population is being pushed further. This is why the researchers say that the flu vaccine should be encouraged for those who are not yet eligible for the COVID vaccine, as it not only reduces the likelihood of it preventing virus but also the likelihood of serious COVID .
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 48.4 percent of adults 18 years and older received the flu shot during the 2019 to 2020 season, emphasizing the need for further promotion and coverage. “Until the COVID-19 vaccine becomes widely available, the flu vaccine should be promoted to reduce the disease burden during this pandemic,” the researchers said in their study. And sign up for our daily newsletter for more information.
If you are about to get your coronavirus vaccine, do not rush to get flu shots for extra protection. According to the CDC, you should not get another vaccine within two weeks after your COVID vaccine, and it also contains the flu vaccine. The agency says a “lack of data on the safety and efficacy of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines being co-administered with other vaccines” is why they have taken this lead. You must wait at least 14 days after any vaccine to get the other one. And for more guidance on vaccines, the CDC warns you not to do so before being vaccinated.