There must be two weeks between an ‘other’ vaccination and a corona vaccination, the RIVM says on its site.
‘Other’ vaccinations mean, for example, traveler vaccinations such as DTP and the vaccine against rabies (rabies), or so-called RVP vaccinations. RVP stands for national vaccination program. This includes vaccinations that people receive from childhood, at specified ages, against serious infectious diseases. Think of polio, rubella, measles, hepatitis and whooping cough.
Not at the same time
“In principle, the Covid-19 vaccine is not administered at the same time as another vaccine,” RIVM reports. According to the institute, there is not enough data available about the administration of a corona vaccine such as Pfizer or Moderna, at the same time as other vaccines. “It is therefore advised to keep at least seven days between first an RVP vaccine and then a Covid-19 vaccination.”
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Those who first receive a vaccine against measles or rubella should even use a minimum of two weeks interval. And whoever gets a corona jab first should keep two weeks between that vaccine and, for example, an RVP vaccination.
Effects
“The advice is there because of the side effects,” says Agnes Kant, health scientist and director of the side effects center Lareb. “We know that there are effects can be, often mild, but because the vaccines are still relatively new, we want to know for sure which side effect is associated with which vaccine.” Sometimes the side effects come right after the injection or after one day, sometimes there are a few days between the injection and the complaints.
If two different vaccines are placed too close together and side effects occur, it cannot be said with certainty which vaccine caused the side effects. “That is too difficult to determine,” said Kant.
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But it is not that it is dangerous if there is less time between vaccinations, emphasizes the Lareb director. It is also stated on the RIVM site: ‘In the event of an unplanned vaccination, it is not necessary to take into account an interval with the Covid-19 vaccination.’
Such an emergency vaccination may be necessary if, for example, someone has to travel immediately to a country for which travellers’ vaccinations are required, or if someone has been bitten by a dog or cat, where there is a risk of tetanus if the vaccine is not obtained. RIVM emphasizes: ‘A shorter interval has no negative effect on the efficacy of any of the vaccines.’
flu shot
For the flu shot, which many elderly people receive, and the pneumococcal vaccination for the elderlyIn principle, these vaccinations have priority on the Covid-19 vaccination. ‘The reason for this is that these vaccinations are less flexible to schedule than a Covid-19 vaccination.’
It is also wise for girls who want to get an HPV vaccination to take the HPV vaccine first, and then (after the recommended two weeks) to go back to the GGD for the corona vaccine. The HPV vaccinations are given in a limited time slot, the GGD Gelderland says know on the site. ‘Corona vaccinations are given every day and that appointment is easy to reschedule. That is why it is important to reschedule the corona vaccination appointment.’
See also: Why should I get a booster? Five questions and answers for doubters
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