Both vaccines play important roles in protecting your health and the health of those around you:
Flu vaccine
- Annual protection: the flu virus changes and circulates each year. The flu vaccine is updated annually to match the most common strains.
Getting vaccinated every year ensures you have the most current protection. - Flu-related complications: the flu can lead to serious complications, especially for individuals with pre-existing conditions like chronic kidney
disease. Vaccination significantly reduces the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation and death. - Reducing Strain on Healthcare: by preventing the flu, you help reduce the burden on healthcare systems, which is particularly important during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 vaccine
- Protection against severe illness: COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be effective in reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation and death caused by the virus. This is especially important for those with chronic conditions.
- Preventing spread: vaccination contributes to community immunity, reducing the spread of the virus and protecting vulnerable populations who may not have a strong immune response.
- Variant defense: COVID-19 vaccines continue to be updated to address new variants. By staying up-to-date with vaccinations, you’re better protected against new strains.
Taking both vaccines
- Synergy: taking both vaccines helps safeguard you from the simultaneous threat of flu and COVID-19. Both illnesses have similar symptoms, and co-infection could lead to more severe outcomes.
- Reducing health risks: individuals with chronic kidney disease are at higher risk for severe outcomes from both the flu and COVID-19. Getting vaccinated against both provides added protection against these risks.
- Public health: your vaccination efforts contribute to overall public health by reducing the spread of both viruses and supporting the well-being of your community.
In essence, getting both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines is a wise and responsible choice. Consult your healthcare team to address any concerns or questions you may have, especially considering your specific health status and medical history.