Doctors advice on flu shots and COVID-19 vaccines boosters

As the leaves turn their usual red and orange blaze, another cold-weather staple is upon us — cold and flu season. And since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the approaching cold weather is the time COVID-19 cases tend to peak, too.

Health experts already are seeing cases of the COVID-19 virus trending up, and while numbers are nowhere near the record levels during the height of the pandemic, doctors recommend heading into the cold-weather season fully vaccinated and up-to-date on booster shots.

The same goes for protecting yourself against the flu. Health care experts are predicting a much higher prevalence of that virus than in the two previous winters.

“When COVID came about, there were a lot of interventions that happened — masking, social distancing and lots of places closed,” said Dr. Dan Shirley, UW Health’s medical director for infection prevention. “Those same interventions that prevent COVID also prevented the flu.”

Since COVID-19 came around, the flu season has been relatively non-existent, Shirley said. 

To his point, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated the 2019-2020 flu season saw 36 million individuals in the United States come down with a flu-related illness. The next year, the CDC reported “unusually low flu activity” and that less than 1% of specimens tested for influenza (flu) came back positive. 

These days, people who mask up before heading out in public are few and far between. Stay-at-home orders are a thing of the past, and life — for better or worse — is kind of back to normal.

“People are going back out and doing stuff,” Shirley said. “We expect that all of these respiratory viruses that happen in the winter, like influenza (the flu), are probably going to come back to some degree. We’re already seeing and uptick in cases.”

Australia’s Influenza numbers, where a large number of flu cases were reported during that continent’s winter season, also has doctors pointing to an uptick in cases this winter in the U.S.

Dr. Nilanjan Lodh, assistant professor of health sciences at Marquette University, are advising residents to take proper precautions and vaccinate themselves for protection against the flu and COVID-19. 

“Everybody who can get the vaccine should get the vaccine,” Lodh said. “There is an expectation that (COVID-19) cases will go up. It’s better to get the vaccine as soon as possible.” 

Is it safe to get the flu shot and the COVID-19 booster at the same time?

Yes. In fact, it is recommended. 

“There’s no danger in doing it, as far as your immune reaction or how you create antibodies,” Shirley said. “There’s nothing about these shots to indicate they can’t be given at the same time.”

How prevalent are COVID-19 cases right now?

As of Tuesday, the state is averaging 856 COVID-19 cases the past seven days, compared to 1,570 cases during the same seven-day time frame last year, according to the state Department of Health Services.

As of Monday, the city of Milwaukee was averaging 126 COVID-19 cases per day. This is nearly half as many as the seven-day average last year at this time when the city was averaging 207 cases per day. 

Who is eligible to receive the updated, omicron booster?

All Wisconsinites older than 5 years now are eligible to receive the booster. 

The Pfizer booster is available for those 5 and older and the Moderna booster for those 6 and older. The Novavax shot is available for people aged 12 and older.

Who should get the updated COVID-19 booster?

The updated boosters are recommended for people who have completed their primary series of shots and have not received a COVID-19 vaccine shot or the previously available booster shot in the past two months.

Is a vaccine shot the same as a booster shot?

No. The immunity from the “primary series” of vaccines is not permanent, Lodh said, which is why a booster shot is necessary. Unlike the booster shots, the primary series of vaccines are available for those 6 months and older.

How many vaccine shots and booster shots do I need to be considered fully protected against COVID-19?

It depends on the vaccine brand. Here’s a quick guide:

• Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines: You should receive three shots and one booster dose. The shots should be given at least four weeks. Once you have received the three shots, you are able to receive the booster two months later.
• Novavax: You should receive two shots and one booster shot. The shots should be given three weeks apart, followed by the booster two months later.

What if I have recently been infected with COVID-19. How long do I need to wait before getting the next vaccine dose or booster shot?

Three months.

Data showed that people who had COVID-19 still get a benefit from the vaccine; in addition, data showed that waiting some period of time after infection helps maximize the immune response.

Shirley said someone with a weakened immune system might not want to wait that long to get a booster and should discuss their options with a doctor.

Does the new booster protect against the most contagious variant?

Yes. A new “bivalant” booster was made available Labor Day weekend that offers protection against the BA.5 strain. This strain accounts for 90% of COVID-19 cases in the United States, Lodh said.

Does the new booster have any side-effects?

Yes. Lodh said the side-effects of the new booster are similar to past COVID-19 vaccine shots. Patients have reported headaches, muscle pain and general fatigue. These symptoms typically appear within a week of receiving a shot or booster.

Lodh said over-the-counter pain relievers can help mitigate the side-effects.

What is myocarditis and is it a common side effect?

Myocarditis is a condition that causes inflammation of the heart. The CDC has stated the condition “have rarely been reported” by patients who have received the COVID-19 vaccine within a few days. Although when seen, the cases have been especially prevalent in young adolescent men.

MORE: Wisconsin reports the first death of a child due to a rare, mysterious condition linked to COVID-19

Where can I find vaccines?

Bivalent vaccines are available at most pharmacies and retail stores and through your primary care provider. You can also find where vaccines are available in your area at vaccines.gov. 

“You should talk to your doctor and get a clear sense when and what (immunization) you should get,” Lodh said.

I have mobility issues. Can someone come to my home?

Yes. Call 211 or contact your local health department or Aging and Disability Resource Center.

Can I still order free COVID-19 tests?

Yes. Order a free kit, which includes five tests, by visiting sayyescovidhometest.org. The kit will be delivered directly to your home.

How many vaccine shots and boosters do I need to be considered fully protected against COVID-19?

As ofFriday,62% or about 3.6 million Wisconsinites had completed their initial series of vaccines, but only 36%, or 2 million, Wisconsinites had received at least one additional booster dose, according to DHS data.

The higher a community’s vaccination rate, the better the odds of preventing a COVID-19 variant from mutating into a new and potentially more contagious variant, Shirley said.

Why haven’t some Wisconsin residents been fully vaccinated against COVID-19?

Shirley said it’s tricky. 

“It’s just less of a focus for people,” Shirley said. “(There’s also) a lot of confusion about vaccines in general. Some people think they don’t need vaccines at all, some people think or get confused about how many shots they need in order to have the highest protection.”

What ages are most at risk for severe symptoms?

Shirley said the elderly, young children, immunocompromised people and pregnant individuals are at high risk from suffering more severe symptoms associated with COVID-19 and the flu.

“But there is benefit for everyone to get it,” Shirley said. “That includes people who have had COVID in the past.”

Is a yearly booster shot possible in the future?

The COVID-19 boosters may become a seasonal event, like the flu vaccine, Lodh also said. However, since hundreds of fatalities from the virus are still being reported every day, it may be a while before a consistent seasonal COVID-19 vaccine can be distributed. 

“More spreading means the virus has more chance of evolving” Lodh said. “If more people get the booster, that will stop the flow and it will hinder the virus’ ability to evolve.”

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