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Covid-19 and the Flu Shot
(Get the flu shot!)
A couple recent studies raised the question of whether influenza vaccines increase or decrease the risk of more severe Covid-19. As Shin Jie Yong smartly covers, most studies have “ensured the safety and even protective effects of influenza vaccines against Covid-19.” There are a few important points to keep in mind, Yong writes:
-Correlation does not equal causation: Socioeconomic factors are likely the causal factor explaining the correlation between influenza vaccine rate and Covid-19 mortality in some countries.
-No virus interference: In most studies, influenza vaccines did not interfere with Covid-19 (or other virus respiratory infections) health outcomes. Instead, most showed cross-protection where influenza vaccines may boost the overall immune system to fight infections, or prevent the much worse flu and Covid-19 co-infection.
To conclude, there are concerns about influenza vaccines worsening Covid-19, which are unproven and likely a result of socioeconomic or other confounding factors. And the flu shots this season remain crucial to prevent infection or co-infection with Covid-19.
Get your flu shot! Read more below.
