Does the Flu vaccine help against Covid-19?

He and the (SARS-CoV-2 virus) are different viruses and from different families. Therefore, the flu vaccine does not prevent the possibility of suffering covid-19. Neither do other vaccines, such as pneumococcal pneumonia or Haemophilus Influenzae type B.

Likewise, neither the flu vaccine nor other vaccines increase people's susceptibility to covid-19, nor do they increase the severity of their symptoms. The positive data is that it has been reported lower mortality from Coronavirus in elderly people who had previously received the flu vaccine.

Can you have Flu and covid-19 at the same time?

According to some research, it is possible to have both respiratory diseases at the same time. Although, it is not known for sure whether contracting Coronavirus or the flu increases the chances of suffering from the other. In this case, it is harder for the immune system to fight back of both diseases at the same time, since with one of them the patient is more vulnerable because the first infection damages the tissue in the airways and makes them more susceptible to other infections, viral or bacterial. Also, people are known to have had.

This 2020/2021 season is expected to have a double pandemic of seasonal flu and Coronavirus. However, thanks to social distancing measures, the use of a mask and hand washing, the number of people affected by the flu has decreased. Also, it is of great importance that this year more flu shots are given, especially in people over 60 years of age and in people with chronic diseases, pregnant women, partners of people with chronic diseases and health professionals.

When will the covid-19 vaccine arrive?

It will not be available for this 2020 season of vaccine against covid-19, either because the clinical trials have not yet been safely concluded or due to difficulties in the manufacture, distribution and administration of the millions of doses that will be required.

How does the flu vaccine work?

For the flu there is a vaccine, but it is not universal, this means that every year it is necessary to modify the vaccine against this virus, which is caused by the influence of the virus. great capacity to mutate. The, follows very strict controls by the responsible agencies and is available every year.

It should be borne in mind that from the time the vaccine is administered until it develops immunity they can pass between 10 and 14 daysThis is why it is important to administer it before the height of flu season hits. Therefore, this year 2020 the Ministry of Health and the autonomous communities have decided advance the vaccination campaign, having started in the first half of October. The reasons for this advance are, basically, to minimize the difficulties in it in people who present similar symptoms.

How is seasonal flu spread?

Most flu cases are caused by virus A and B, having a less frequent influenza C virus. Seasonal flu is very contagious, transmitted by air through exhaled drops by breathing, coughing, sneezing, talking or by direct contact with infected people and has a very short incubation period (hours or a few days).

It presents a clinical picture that usually begins with high fever, fatigue, headache, muscle and joint pain. These symptoms can be confused with the clinical picture of covid-19.

What you should know:

• The flu vaccine does not work for covid-19
• This year, a double pandemic of seasonal flu and covid-19 is expected. According to some research, it is possible to suffer from both respiratory diseases at the same time.
• It will be of great importance that the vaccination coverage against influenza is as high as possible, especially in those over 60 years of age, chronically ill, pregnant, cohabitants of people with chronic diseases and health professionals.
• The Ministry of Health and the autonomous communities have decided to advance the flu vaccination campaign. Family and Community Medicine Specialist Teladoc Consultant Physician