Children and adults can now get other vaccinations at the same time as they receive COVID-19 vaccines, according to Bay Area health officers, who expressed support Friday for recently revised guidance on this issue by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).
Previously out of “an abundance of caution,” the CDC had recommended that COVID–19 vaccines be administered alone, with a minimum interval of 14 days before or after administration of any other vaccines. The decision at the time was not due to any known safety or concerns, health officers representing all Bay Area counties said in a joint statement Friday. The CDC recently revised immunization guidance to allow people to get other vaccines at the same time they get vaccinated against COVID-19.
“Now that we have substantial data and real–world experience with the COVID–19 vaccines, we feel confident that it is safe for everyone to get immunized simultaneously against COVID–19 and other vaccine–preventable diseases,” according to health officers.
The new guidance “will make it easier for people to catch up on any immunizations they’re due for when they get a COVID–19 vaccine at their provider’s office,” said Dr. Chris Farnitano, health officer for Contra Costa County.
Photo courtesy of the CDC.
