Fact Checking the Arab Media

In an unattributed article on September 10, 2021, on the popular Tayyar.org website affiliated with Lebanon’s Free Patriotic Movement and entitled “Can you take the influenza and COVID vaccines at the same time,” the author states that it is safe to take the vaccine shot for influenza and COVID at the same time, supporting the claim with quotes from two experts. “There is no adverse indication for receiving a flu shot and a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time, says William Schaffner, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. And it is medically appropriate to do so if that is your choice.” Although the author does not link to the quote, it is available here.

The second expert quoted in the article, Dr. Robert Lahita, agrees with the above statement saying, “If you're brave, combine them both in the same week...your immune system can deal with both at the same time.” Although the article again does not link to the original interview, it is located here.

Moreover, according to the US Center for Disease Control (CDC), “Coadministration of COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines COVID-19 vaccines may be administered without regard to timing of other vaccines. This includes simultaneous administration of COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines on the same day. If multiple vaccines are administered at a single visit, administer each injection in a different injection site.”

The CDC explains further that there are some best practices for multiple injections, which include, “Label[ing] each syringe with the name and the dosage (amount) of the vaccine, lot number, initials of the preparer, and exact beyond-use time, if applicable. Separate injection sites by one inch or more, if possible. Administer the COVID-19 vaccine and vaccines that may be more likely to cause a local reaction in different limbs, if possible.”

As such, although the article is truthful in its claims, it fails to link to either of the two expert interviews that it relies on, making it seem to the unknowing reader that the website itself conducted the interviews with the doctors. It also fails to cite any additional public health guidance - such as from the CDC - which would further strengthen the case made by the two cited experts and improve patient knowledge in general if one chose to get a COVID vaccine on the same day as another vaccine.