Make Your Vaccine Appointment Count: A Helpful Guide for Getting the COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines Together

Cooler autumn weather is just around the corner in Colorado, bringing cozy sweaters and crisp mornings. But with the beginning of fall also comes the return of respiratory virus season. 

Diseases like flu, COVID-19, and RSV thrive during the fall and winter months. Why, you ask? Virus particles, which spread through coughs and sneezes, thrive in cold, dry conditions. When it’s humid, moisture in the air clings to virus particles and drags them to the ground more quickly, making them less likely to infect you. However, in autumn and winter, virus particles linger longer in the drier air. And as we spend more time indoors, we come into closer contact with other people and viruses. At the same time, colder temperatures reduce the body’s natural immune defenses. Combined, these factors make us more susceptible to catching flu, COVID-19, and RSV. 

The good news: you can take action now to prevent infection later. By scheduling your COVID-19 and flu vaccine in one appointment, you can save time and protect your health.

Do I Really Need a New Flu or COVID-19 Vaccine Each Year?

Yes! A new flu vaccine is created each year to give us the best protection against a quickly mutating virus. As the flu virus spreads from person to person, it makes small mutations. Over time, these mutations change the virus enough that the previous vaccine may not protect against the current flu virus. Getting an updated shot every year reduces your chances of catching the mutated flu virus.

Like the flu, the COVID-19 virus evolves from person to person. It’s estimated that the COVID-19 virus mutates about every 11 days. As the virus mutates, it becomes harder for our bodies’ immune memory from older COVID-19 vaccines (or infections) to stop it. That’s why experts recommend an updated COVID-19 vaccine each year. In 2026, the updated COVID-19 vaccines will target the XFG variant. 

Getting the most recent vaccine ensures your body is prepared for the versions of flu and COVID-19 that are currently circulating. Vaccines aren’t perfect, and they don’t prevent 100% of cases. But if the flu or COVID virus does break through your immune protection, being vaccinated will make your symptoms less severe. Vaccination could be the difference between mild symptoms and a trip to the hospital — or worse.

Make an Appointment Now to Save Time Later

Getting vaccinated now lowers your risk of getting sick. This means you’re less likely to miss school or work or need a trip to the doctor’s office in the future. During the 2025-26 flu season, the vaccine reduced the risk of a flu-related medical visit by 22-34% and reduced the risk of hospitalization by 30%. 

Similarly, the 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine reduced the likelihood of needing an urgent care visit by 50% and being hospitalized by 55% in healthy adults. 

Don’t risk missing work or school for a trip to the doctor — schedule a vaccine appointment before respiratory virus season kicks into full gear. You can even get both your COVID-19 and flu shots in one appointment, which can save time and money!

Why Get Both Vaccines in One Appointment?

Getting your flu and COVID-19 vaccines in the same appointment is safe, convenient, and could give you better protection.

Research shows that receiving COVID-19 and flu vaccines at the same time is completely safe. For adults who need an RSV shot, it is also safe to get the COVID, flu, and RSV shots in one appointment. 

Some studies actually show that doubling up in one appointment may give you enhanced immune protection. One study followed two groups of Massachusetts healthcare workers. One group received the COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine on the same day. The other group received each vaccine on different days in the same month. The group that received both vaccines on the same day developed more antibodies that fight both COVID-19 and the flu strain.

Getting your seasonal vaccines in one visit ensures that you don’t accidentally miss a second appointment. It also means you don’t have to schedule more time away from work, school, or loved ones. It’s safe, convenient, and time-efficient.

What About Vaccine Side Effects? 

Scheduling your vaccines all at once may also reduce the amount of time you experience side effects. After receiving the COVID-19 or flu vaccine, you may experience temporary, mild side effects. These include pain or swelling near the injection site, fever, headache, nausea, and muscle aches. Side effects usually begin 1-2 days after your shot and last 1-3 days. 

Side effects do not mean you have been infected with COVID-19 or the flu. Side effects are actually a good sign, which indicates that the vaccine is building immunity in the body. Although they are unpleasant and inconvenient, side effects are often much milder and shorter than the actual viruses themselves. Instead of experiencing side effects on two separate occasions, getting vaccinated at the same time means only feeling side effects once.

Tips for Getting Your COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines in One Appointment

Planning your vaccines in one appointment is a smart, time-saving choice. It reduces the amount of time you miss at school, work, or with loved ones due to vaccine appointments, sick days, or trips to the hospital. However, it can be helpful to anticipate potential side effects when planning your vaccine appointment.

1. Plan time to rest

In case you experience side effects, it can be helpful to schedule your vaccine appointment when you know you’ll have 1-2 days to rest.  It’s recommended to get 7-8 hours of sleep to support your immune system as it responds to the vaccine. By choosing to get vaccinated, you’ve done something positive for your health and the health of your community. Take this opportunity to show yourself and your body some care.

2. Consider receiving each shot in a different arm or area

It’s up to you which arm you receive your vaccines in. If you want to reduce soreness and swelling, it may help to get each shot in a different arm. The Doherty Institute recommends receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in your non-dominant arm and the flu vaccine in your dominant arm. This is because the COVID-19 vaccine is known to produce slightly more arm soreness. 

If you prefer to keep the soreness to one side, getting both shots in your non-dominant arm is a good option too. Whether you get the vaccines in the same or different arms, they will work equally well to create immunity.

3. Drink lots of liquids

Staying hydrated improves circulation and cell function. This supports your body’s immune response to the vaccine. Drinking lots of water can also help soothe fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. This may help shorten the time and intensity of any vaccine side effects.

4. Manage side effect symptoms

After receiving a vaccine, it’s safe to take over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. This can help reduce arm soreness, fever, headache, and muscle aches. To relieve muscle aches and fever, it’s sometimes recommended to apply a cold washcloth or take a cool bath. This can also help soothe arm soreness.

5. If you’re feeling up to it, do some light exercise

You may not experience side effects after receiving a vaccine. Or, side effects may feel relatively mild. You should avoid strenuous exercise 2-3 days after receiving a vaccine. But light exercise, like walking, can improve circulation and support your body’s immune response.

The Bottom Line

Side effects are inconvenient, but getting sick with COVID-19 or the flu can be even more disruptive to daily life. 

While flu symptoms typically last 5-7 days, symptoms can linger for up to 2 weeks. Sometimes the flu can cause other complications, such as ear infection, pneumonia, and myocarditis. This can prolong recovery and risk a trip to the hospital.

COVID-19 symptoms can last anywhere from 1 to 6 weeks, or even longer. For those who end up with long COVID, symptoms can last months or even years. 

Getting your COVID-19 and flu vaccine is the best way to prevent infection and reduce the severity of symptoms. Don’t risk missing out on your favorite fall festivities. By choosing to get both vaccines in one appointment, you give yourself, your family, and your community the gift of time and health.