Covid-19 shots may slightly increase the risk of stroke in older adults, particularly when administered with certain flu vaccines, according to a new study. The safety signal was detected by experts at the FDA who analyzed data from Medicare claims. It is the second study to find an elevated risk of stroke for seniors after Covid-19 and flu vaccinations given together. Some experts said people who are worried could consider getting each shot at different times rather than together. Separately, the CDC's independent vaccine advisers on Wednesday recommended a new meningitis vaccine. Pfizer's new vaccine, Penbraya, protects against five kinds of bacteria, the advisors said, and could soon be an option that offers people broad protection from meningococcal disease with fewer shots.

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A few weeks ago, however, Dr. Peter Marks, head of FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said he was planning to get his Covid-19 vaccine first, followed by his influenza vaccine about two weeks later.

“If you want to minimize the chance of interactions and minimize confusing the side effects from one with another, you wait about two weeks between the vaccines,” Marks said on an FDA stakeholder call in September.

When they looked at adults ages 85 and older, they found an elevated risk of strokes caused by blood clots in those who’d had Pfizer vaccines, but not in those who got Moderna shots.