Pairing your Covid booster and flu shots could reduce the risk of hospitalisations, study shows

Don't forget your shots

While many of us may be slacking on our booster shots in 2025, experts say getting your Covid and flu shots together could reduce the risk of being hospitalised

After talking about it constantly for years and vigilantly watching out for new guidance on dose frequency, many of us haven’t thought about our Covid booster shots for a while. 

But with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) reporting that there have been over 150,000 lab-confirmed influenza cases so far this year, and experts regularly warning us of the surge in cases, we’re very much aware of the need for flu shots. 

Evidently, we should be staying on top of both, as a new study found that hospital admissions could be reduced if we get our flu vaccine with a Covid booster shot.

Rates of vaccination in Australia

According to the Department of Health, 18-64 year olds are eligible for a Covid booster shot every 12 months. 

Those who are severely immunocompromised or aged between 65 and 74 are eligible for a shot every six months, but are recommended to have a booster every 12 months.

A quarter of Aussies are immunised against influenza, but experts are urging us to remember our Covid boosters too.  Image: Pexels.

A quarter of Aussies are immunised against influenza, but experts are urging us to remember our Covid boosters too. 

According to the paper, 62,000 people were hospitalised and 6500 people died after contracting Covid in 2023 alone, and in the 12 months prior, only 11 per cent of people above the age of 16 were vaccinated. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported 5001 registered deaths due to Covid during this time. 

But the annual vaccination coverage for influenza sits at 32 per cent, and 376 people died from the illness in 2023. 

When comparing different possible deliveries of Covid vaccines at different points of the year, researchers found that despite lingering year-round, offering booster shots at the same time as flu vaccines was likely an effective way to boost rates of immunisation. Image: Pexels

"The COVID-19 vaccine gives 85 per cent protection against severe disease, which is significantly higher than the influenza vaccine, which offers 44 per cent protection against hospitalisation," co-author of the study, Fenella McAndrew said, as per the ABC.

Pairing Covid and flu vaccines

When comparing different possible deliveries of Covid vaccines at different points of the year, researchers found that despite lingering year-round, offering booster shots at the same time as flu vaccines was likely an effective way to boost rates of immunisation.

Hospitalisations for Covid alone could decrease by up to 14 per cent.  Image: Unsplash

"Unlike influenza, COVID-19 doesn't have a well-defined season, and when we modelled different scenarios, the percentage of people receiving booster vaccinations was more important than the timing of the vaccination," McAndrew noted.

Co-author Nick Scott agreed, saying, "by offering a COVID-19 booster vaccination alongside the annual influenza vaccination, we could aim to achieve similar vaccination coverage for COVID-19 as influenza, which would make a meaningful difference in reducing hospital admissions and deaths".

Hospitalisations for Covid alone could decrease by up to 14 per cent. 

New variants continue to pop up around the world, with NB. 1.8.1 currently driving up infection rates in Australia. Image: iStock

How common are Covid-19 cases in 2025?

New variants continue to pop up around the world, with NB. 1.8.1 currently driving up infection rates in Australia.

Designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a "variant under monitoring", the strain is showing up in patients around the country. 

It’s difficult to identify the exact number of Covid cases this year, as reporting isn’t mandated anymore, but experts are reminding us of the need to get vaccinated, even if you aren’t concerned about symptoms.

Vaccination at any time is beneficial. Image: iStock

Scott said, "COVID-19 can lead to a range of health complications and results in more hospitalisations and deaths every year than influenza".

Even if the symptoms of Covid themselves don’t knock you around, infection can lead to issues affecting your brain, immune system, liver, kidneys, lungs and heart. 

Vaccination at any time is beneficial, but if you’re already getting your flu shot, why not kill two birds with one stone and book in for both? 

Originally published as Pairing your Covid booster and flu shots could reduce the risk of hospitalisations, study shows