# Which to get first **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Created:** [August 10, 2025, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-to-get-first/1021913 "2025-08-10T19:09:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-to-get-first/1021913/1 "2025-08-10T19:09:35Z")
I get a flu shot every year. I got it a few months ago. What to get next, covid booster ( only had 2 modernas 4 years ago) Pneumonia, or rsv ( had it in Dec. dog sick.) How many days between shots? ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-to-get-first/1021913/2 "2025-08-10T19:17:05Z")
I got a flu shot and COVID shot at one sitting. One in each arm. I followed the recommendation to rotate my arms for the next ten minutes while waiting before I could leave the pharmacist. I proceeded to rotate my arms the rest of the day as best I could. I had no later residual pain. I still need a pneumococcal vaccine and RSV vaccine. According to the AMA: “Coadministration of RSV vaccine with other adult vaccines, including flu, COVID, pneumococcal, Tdap and shingles vaccines is allowed and is acceptable.” > **[New ACIP recommendations for RSV, COVID-19 and pneumococcal vaccines, plus...](https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/new-acip-recommendations-rsv-covid-19-and-pneumococcal-vaccines-plus)** > > The AMA Update covers a range of health care topics affecting the lives of physicians and patients. Learn more about new vaccine details and recommendations recently voted on by the ACIP. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-to-get-first/1021913/3 "2025-08-10T19:30:36Z")
> [@SuntanLotion](#): > > rsv ( had it in Dec. dog sick.) RSV is I think currently considered to be a one shot only vaccine; though it’s relatively new and they might change their minds. Check with your doctor; but you may not need another of those. As has already been said, you can get the covid and flu boosters at the same time. I’ve done that a couple of times now; no significant problems. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-to-get-first/1021913/4 "2025-08-10T19:41:56Z")
No, I had rsv, not the vax. And already had my flu shot. ---
**Author:** ![ricepad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@ricepad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ricepad)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-to-get-first/1021913/5 "2025-08-10T19:50:56Z")
IIRC, as long as you’re not exhibiting symptoms, you can get ‘em all at once. It’s up to you how many sticks you can stand in one day. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-to-get-first/1021913/6 "2025-08-10T20:16:03Z")
There is no reason not to get all of these inoculations in the same visit. There are a handful of vaccines (like rabies) that recommend spacing or avoiding other inoculations during the series, but none of those common vaccines should require spacing. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-to-get-first/1021913/7 "2025-08-10T20:16:49Z")
My understanding is that the flu season runs from October through March and that the vaccine is good for roughly six months, so I think early to mid-October is the best time to get the new flu vaccine that’s created for the new flu season. As for COVID, I think you want to get whichever vaccine is released this autumn. (I think you said you only had two Moderna shots four years ago. That’s fine but I’ve had updated boosters each year since.) ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-to-get-first/1021913/8 "2025-08-10T20:57:11Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > My understanding is that the flu season runs from October through March and that the vaccine is good for roughly six months, so I think early to mid-October is the best time to get the new flu vaccine that’s created for the new flu season. As for COVID, I think you want to get whichever vaccine is released this autumn. This is generally true although over the last couple of years influenza in North America has peaking later such that it really starts to hit in November. If you are in a low risk group you can watch surveillance and get the shot later to get longer-lasting immunity (protection from influenza vaccines tend to wane after 3-4 months); if in a higher risk group you should get one in early October and plan on a second shot after the beginning of the year if infections aren’t tailing off. The [quadrivalent flu vaccines](https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/flu/prevent/quadrivalent.htm) will cover all the stains that appear likely from the proceeding Southern Hemisphere flu season. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-to-get-first/1021913/9 "2025-08-10T21:47:40Z")
I had thought it might be best to space them out. My moderna shots were 2 months apart, and the second one gave me a fever, which went away after a short nap. Giant Eagle gives you 5 dollars to spend in their store for each vaccine shot, so this will be a help. I can buy t.p. instead of asking people to buy it for me. Thanks for the good advice!💉 ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-to-get-first/1021913/10 "2025-08-10T23:00:11Z")
> [@SuntanLotion](#): > > I had thought it might be best to space them out. My moderna shots were 2 months apart… Shots in an inoculation sequence are spaced out to give the best immunogenicity (to stimulate immune response to the vaccine that will be most durable) but different types of vaccines don’t generally interact or interfere with one another. It used to be believed that having too many inoculations at once could ‘overwhelm the immune system’ and childhood vaccine schedules were really spaced out but that hasn’t proven to be the case in general, and having fewer visits means that it is more likely that parents will follow the complete sequence. If you don’t mind going back for each shot and you get some incentive for it, more power to you. But there shouldn’t be any problem getting both the influenza vaccine and the latest SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in one visit. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-to-get-first/1021913/11 "2025-08-10T23:17:31Z")
I already had the flu shot. I will be getting the covid, rsv, and pneumonia ones. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-to-get-first/1021913/12 "2025-08-10T23:24:17Z")
I didn’t think the influenza vaccine had been released for the 2025-26 flu season? So when you say that you already had the flu shot, when was that? ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-to-get-first/1021913/13 "2025-08-10T23:26:56Z")
I am guessing March. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-to-get-first/1021913/14 "2025-08-10T23:28:40Z")
That would have been last season’s, I expect. There might be different strains around this winter. Plus which, the flu vaccine apparently isn’t really long lived, so one in March may have worn off by now. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-to-get-first/1021913/15 "2025-08-10T23:28:41Z")
I think that would have been the vaccine meant for the previous flu season. You should still get the new one when it’s ready. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2025, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-to-get-first/1021913/16 "2025-08-10T23:29:21Z")
I will. They had given me the one for seniors, so probably stronger. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-to-get-first/1021913/17 "2025-08-17T18:04:34Z")
Last year I had the flu and Covid booster vaccinations at the same time with no ill effects. Since I was only three months short of 75 I tried to talk them into RSV as well but they wouldn’t budge. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-to-get-first/1021913/18 "2025-08-17T18:20:59Z")
We’re all different. Get your vaxxes in a way that work best for you. I had no reaction to a regular flu vax, but the high-dose one gives me a significant reaction. Not as bad as I get for all COVID vaxxes, though. Those are horrible for me for 3 days. So _for me_, I get my flu and COVID vaxxes about 3 weeks apart. As for the others, no severe reactions (except for the first Shingles, and I’m done with both those now). However, my pharmacy requires a 3-week wait in between all vaxxes _except_ flu and COVID, which they allow to be taken together. Unfortunately for me, that’s the one combination that doesn’t work. If you don’t anticipate any severe reaction to the high-dose flu, you can get both vaccines at the same time. But if you want to space them out, I think 3 week intervals are fairly common. ETA: Get the flu first when the new formula is available. COVID 3 weeks later, if it’s ready. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2025, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-to-get-first/1021913/19 "2025-08-17T20:18:04Z")
Well, my dr (NP) mentioned pneumonia. I also will get my first ever covid booster and rsv ( which I had in December( the illness not the vax) and I felt worse with that than I had with covid. I will be getting one tomorrow. Maybe I should put them in a bag and whichever I pick should be it. I will ask the pharmacist how long to wait inbetween. After those, I will get the flu shot. ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2025, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-to-get-first/1021913/20 "2025-08-21T18:37:02Z")
Update. I called the pharmacist. She said since I was sick with RSV last Dec. I don’t need a vax. The covid booster( never had a booster) is not in yet, and the flu one just came in.