Vaccines Can Now Be Administered Without Regard to Timing

On May 12, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices approved revised guidance for the administration of COVID19 vaccines. The previous guidance for the administration of COVID-19 vaccines provided that they should be given alone, with a minimum interval of 14 days before or after administration of any other vaccines. These recommendations were not made due to any known safety concerns but out of an abundance of caution.

Now, that substantial data has been collected and reviewed regarding the safety of COVID-19 vaccines authorized under the Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorization authority the original guidance has been revised. Data shows that when compared, vaccines administered simultaneously and vaccines administered alone generally produce similar adverse events and side effects. Based upon these findings the guidance was revised to include the simultaneous administration of COVID19 vaccines and other vaccines on the same day and co-administration within 14 days.

“We are reviewing the recent revision as we not only examine how this will impact our COVID-19 vaccination efforts but how it will affect other required vaccinations including back to school immunizations,” says Dr. Fredrick Echols, acting director of health for the City of St. Louis. “Some of the benefits that could result from the co-administration or reduced minimum time of administering the COVID-19 vaccine include reduced missed opportunities to vaccinate certain members and segments of the population, reduced stress and discomfort (especially for children), simplification of vaccination schedules, and decreased resource allocation as the need for fewer vaccination clinics are required.”

Healthcare providers are being reminded that it is still unknown whether common expected adverse reactions, such as fever and sore arm at the injection site are increased with co-administration. When considering whether to co-administer with COVID-19 vaccines providers should consider whether the patient is behind or at risk of becoming behind on recommended vaccines and the expected adverse reactions profile of the vaccines.