Having a flu jab at the same time as a Covid-19 vaccine is effective and safe, researchers have found.
Clinical trial results reinforce current coronavirus booster vaccine guidance, which is for both jabs to be given together, where it is practically possible, the scientists behind the study said.
There were no negative impacts on the immune response produced by either vaccine when both were given on the same day, in opposite arms. Reported side effects were mainly mild to moderate.
Dr Rajeka Lazarus, chief investigator for the ComFluCOV study and consultant in infectious diseases and microbiology at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, said: “By conducting this study we have been able to establish that it is possible to protect people from both Covid-19 and flu at the same appointment.
“This is a really positive step which could mean fewer appointments for those who require both vaccines, reducing the burden on those who have underlying health conditions and would usually be offered the influenza vaccine.”
Dr Lazarus said the data has been shared with both the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) “to help support the regulations that they’ve already made in preparation for this season”.
Two Covid-19 and three flu vaccines were tested, meaning six combinations in all.
Study participants were over the age of 18 and had already received one dose of either the Pfizer/BioNTech or Oxford/AstraZeneca jab, and were awaiting their second dose.
A total of 679 volunteers took part in the study across 12 NHS sites in England and Wales.
They were randomly allocated to either receive their second dose of the Covid vaccine and the flu vaccine at their first study visit, then a placebo at their second visit.
A second group received their second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and a placebo at their first visit and then the flu vaccine at their second visit.
Participants also attended a third study visit to discuss any side effects and give a blood sample.
The most common side effects were pain around the injection site and fatigue.
Some 97 per cent of participants said they would be willing to have two vaccines at the same appointment in the future.
Health officials have said it is “more important than ever” for people to get a flu jab this year to fight the “twin threats” of coronavirus and flu.
Professor Andrew Ustianowski, clinical lead for the Covid-19 vaccination programme at the National Institute for Health Research, which funded the study, said: “This research has quickly provided important and reassuring results that could make vaccination more efficient for both patients and the NHS.”
The results of the trial, released as a preprint and not yet peer-reviewed, are due to be published in The Lancet.
