By Dr Erin Tomlinson, MD, MetroHealth Pride Network
I am writing as a physician with the goal of keeping my community out of the Emergency Room this winter.
I have been encouraging my patients to get a flu shot and a COVID shot, and I am writing these words for the broader LGBTQ+ community, as well as practical tips to navigate the political barriers you will encounter when trying to get your shots this year.
Everybody, every year
When it comes to preventing flu and COVID infections, the science is clear that everybody benefits from refreshing their immunity every year. The antibodies remain in your body after immunization for about 3 months, so the initial round of COVID shots that people got back in 2021 or 2022 aren’t protecting us anymore.
Our immune systems need a fresh reminder to be on the lookout for flu and COVID. You can think of immunizations like installing tiny “WANTED” posters so your immune system can be ready if it encounters a germ that doesn’t belong. Some people with egg allergies or a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome can’t have a flu shot, so it is even more important for the rest of us to get vaccinated to protect our community through herd immunity. And tiny babies under 6 months of age cannot receive flu or COVID shots, so the rest of us can get our shots to protect those babies.
Pumpkin Spice Season
Since the antibodies from flu and COVID vaccination last for about 3 months, the perfect time to get our annual shots is in September or October. I like to think of pumpkin spice season as the ideal time for a flu and COVID shot. Even gingerbread and peppermint latte season is great for flu and COVID shots. We usually stop offering flu shots in March or April, but any time of year is a good time to boost your COVID immunity.
Flu and COVID are besties
Not only do flu and COVID like to spread in similar ways, but they can also be prevented in similar ways: by wearing a mask when you are sick to avoid spreading germs, staying home when you are sick, washing your hands, and getting your vaccinations.
Science tells us that it is safe to get your flu shot and COVID shot together on the same day. Your immune system can handle it, but you might feel gross and tired later that day because your immune system is working hard making antibodies. This is not an allergy and it is not the vaccine making you sick. We call it an immune response, and it is a good sign that the vaccine is working to provide you excellent protection from disease.
A Nap and a Tylenol
Because your arm can be sore, you may have a fever, and you might feel tired and icky, I recommend choosing a day that works with your schedule. Some people prefer to go home after their vaccines to take a nap. I recommend acetaminophen (Tylenol) if you need pain or fever relief after a vaccine. Ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) are anti-inflammatory and may suppress your immune response, so we recommend Tylenol instead after a vaccine.
Cost and Coverage
In 2025, everyone is worried about whether the flu and COVID shot are going to be covered by their insurance, especially given the current leadership at the HHS and their stance on immunizations in general. For now, we have mostly good news about coverage.
In September 2025, the insurance trade group AHIP (America’s Health Insurance Plans) announced that its member plans will continue to cover immunizations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices ACIP with no cost sharing (zero co-pay) for patients through the end of 2026. This is good news, since the cost-benefit of vaccinations to society is clear even to the insurance companies. We will be able to get the flu and COVID shots under Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance companies until the end of 2026. If you are worried about the details, you can always check with your individual insurance company before scheduling your vaccination.
The Lists
The 2025 flu shot is available everywhere and going smoothly, but how do we actually get the COVID vaccination? One option is to get the shot at your provider’s office, if they offer it. Doctors are allowed to prescribe things “off-label,” and we do this all the time.
However, most people get their COVID shots at a pharmacy. When you go to schedule your COVID shot, you will need to answer questions to prove that you can get the COVID shot. As a medical expert, I am telling you that this is merely a political stunt and there is nothing different about the COVID shot this year from last year that makes it more dangerous or less beneficial. You are as deserving as anyone else to have a COVID shot if you want one. They made plenty of COVID shot doses, and you aren’t taking a limited resource away from a little old grandma.
Please don’t feel bad about getting a COVID shot. You deserve to be protected from COVID, even if you have to be a little creative about how you get it.
If you are over 65, you will likely not have any issues getting the COVID shot. The CDC published a list of people under age 65 who can get the COVID vaccine, and you will have to tell the scheduling software that you are diagnosed with a condition on the list. You do not need a prescription in the state of Ohio, and you do not need to tell anyone which condition you have, just that you have one of the qualifying conditions. Here is the list of conditions.
- Asthma
- Blood cancers
- Cerebrovascular diseases
- Chronic kidney diseases
- Some chronic lung diseases
- Some chronic liver diseases
- Cystic fibrosis
- Type 1 and 2 diabetes
- Gestational diabetes
- Disabilities, including Down Syndrome
- Heart Conditions
- HIV
- Mood disorders, including depression and schizophrenia
- Dementia
- Parkinson’s disease
- Obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Current or recent pregnancy
- Primary immunodeficiencies
- Current or former smoking
- Solid organ or blood stem cell transplant recipients
- Tuberculosis
- Use of immunosuppressive drugs
If none of those options seem like an obvious fit for you, I suggest that you might be physically inactive. You didn’t run a marathon today, did you? Neither did I. See, we are physically inactive. My smartwatch said so. Nobody is going to check.
The best way to keep you out of the ER
In summary, I predict that this will be a terrible year for flu and COVID, as many people will be unable to get their immunizations due to this extra political non-scientific barrier. Transgender people do not generally have a fun time in the ER, and I try to keep my patients out of the ER as much as possible. You can help me by spreading the word to the LGBTQ+ community in Ohio that the flu and COVID-19 shots are available, safe, and effective, and are strongly recommended by me, their PRIDE clinic doctor. People should feel very comfortable getting their shots from their doctors’ offices or pharmacies, despite the political hurdles they need to navigate this year. Our health is worth it! 🔥
IGNITE ACTION
- Get a flu shot!
- Get a COVID shot!
Know an LGBTQ+ Ohio story we should cover? TELL US!
Submit a story!
