UW health: New CDC rule allows COVID-19 vaccine to be given along with other vaccines

MADISON, Wis. – Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lifted a 14-day waiting period between receiving a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines. 

            After almost 300 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been delivered across the United States, there is now sufficient data to allow coadministration of vaccines according to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices expert scientific advisory to the CDC.

            If a patient has just received a vaccination for another disease, ranging from Shingles to the flu and the Measles, there is no longer any reason to wait to get a COVID-19 shot, according to Dr. Jim Conway, pediatric infectious disease specialist and medical director for immunization programs at UW Health.

            This has significant ramifications for how COVID-19 vaccines are provided now and in the future, he said.

            Removing the waiting period will allow vaccines to be given with other routine vaccines. Many people in all age groups have missed routine vaccines over the past 15 months, and it is important to start catching up as soon as possible.

            “Eliminating this waiting period will make the vaccination process much more convenient for many patients, whether they need their COVID-19 vaccine or others. In the long run, we expect to administer COVID-19 vaccine to people during routine clinic visits along with other important vaccinations, which could be a significant step forward in our effort to vaccinate as many people as possible against COVID-19,” he said.

            UW Health currently offers the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, and scheduling is free, easy and open to anyone. Those who have received their first dose elsewhere are also eligible for their second dose at UW Health. Regardless if this is your first dose or second, anyone can schedule online, call, 608-720-5055, or schedule through MyChart.

            For the time being, however, please help slow the spread of COVID-19 by: 

  • Staying home as much as possible 
  • Wearing a mask 
  • Keeping a safe distance from others 
  • Washing your hands frequently 
  • Quarantining if you feel ill 

            A recorded interview with Conway is available.