Is it possible to get a second flu shot?

October 4, 2021 6:53 PM

My sister and BIL, both over 65, thought that they had signed up for the Fluzone High-Dose seasonal influenza vaccine. Instead, they were given the regular shot. Is there anything they can do to increase their protection? Can they get the over-65 shot after having been given the vaccine for under 65?
posted by cyrreb to Health & Fitness (4 answers total)

The high-dose flu is exactly twice the basic dose. At my independent pharmacy site people use a digital sign-up, so I wonder if the pharmacist at their site can figure out a way to make this happen? I would ask a pharmacist about this because it's not a logical issue (of course they need another regular dose!) but a tech challenge. I bet your pharmacist can figure this out, and I suspect an independent pharmacist will be more flexible and willing to help than a chain pharmacist.
posted by citygirl at 8:03 PM on October 4, 2021

@citygirl -- actually, high-dose has 4 times the antigens as the regular dose, as per CDC

For OP -- for a previous version (2013-2014) the high-dose version is 24% more effective than the regular version for seniors in nursing homes in preventing the flu, if I read the stats correctly. However, public health officials are not recommending high-dose OVER that of regular dose for seniors, and indeed, there is no benefit to getting a second flu shot, even for seniors.

I'd say don't worry about it. But I'm not a doctor, I'm not your doctor, and I don't play one on TV.
posted by kschang at 9:10 PM on October 4, 2021

Is there anything they can do to increase their protection?

I'm an epidemiologist, and I think this advice lands better now than ever: wear a mask when you're in indoor spaces with other folks. Grocery store, theater, airplane, public transit, school, doctor's office, library, gas station, etc.: mask on.

Now that they're vaccinated, they don't need to worry about strategies for maximizing their vaccination potential for a vaccine that changes formulation annually. That box has been ticked. Next year, sure, double check that they're getting the high dose formulation in advance. This year, focus more on the non-vaccine mitigation strategies of handwashing and mask wearing.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 7:27 AM on October 5, 2021 [5 favorites]

I stand corrected, kschang, as I learned from a pharmacist today. In my location digital sign-up is required, but I don't know that entries are scrutinized for duplication but rather for documentation. If your doctor says it's OK, you could try signing up for vaccination again, this time with the senior dose. After all, the intention is to give seniors a boosted immunity, and how you get there may vary.
posted by citygirl at 5:28 PM on October 5, 2021 [1 favorite]