Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos, Jeffrey Wright Get Flu Shots on Live TV: ‘Science, Baby!’

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos got their flu shots on live TV during the Nov. 18 episode of Live with Kelly and Mark, alongside guest Jeffrey Wright.

“Flu shots are for everyone — even Academy Award nominees,” said Dr. Holly Phillips, who shared that this time of year with Covid, RSV and the flu, “We kind of call it tripledemic season because they all pop up at the same time — and they’re hard to tell apart.”

RSV is a one-and-done shot, Phillips explained, adding that Covid and flu vaccines require regular updates.

Apart from vaccines, Phillips said you can avoid sickness by “handwashing, trying not to breathe on people if you’re sick, try and stay home if you can — all of that good stuff.”

Wright, 58, went first, earning cheers from the audience when he removed his hoodie to show off his muscular arms — and Ripa promptly put it on, stroking the sleeve.

“This is Academy Award level,” she said of the 2024 Best Actor nominee for American Fiction. “Academy Award-grade cashmere is what this is.”

“Didn’t even flinch!” Consuelos remarked, prompting Wright to reply, “Science, baby!”

“Did it hurt, Jeffrey?” Consuelos asked.

“No, it’s perfect,” Wright replied. “What hurts more is getting the flu.”

Ripa, 53 was next, and as she got the shot Phillips shared some minor side-effects from the flu shot.

“Right where the shot goes in, so many people feel really sore there for a couple of days after,” adding that some people experience a “low-grade fever or just feel very tired after. But it goes away. Most people are better, give it one day, and you’re back.”

Consuelos asked about the flu vaccine mist, but Philips informed him it was only available for those between age 2 and 50.

“What if you feel 25? What if you act like an 18-year-old?” Consuelos, 53, asked jokingly.

“It just doesn’t count,” Phillips replied.

What if your arm bends the needle out?” he quipped, showing off his biceps.

“Because you’re so muscular? You’ll be okay,” Ripa commented drily. “Dr. Holly is strong enough to get that needle in there.”

“I think he’s a little nervous,” Wright said with a chuckle.

“He’s not a needle guy,” Ripa added.

“Do you have my apple juice … standing by?” Consuelos asked, before Ripa commented that he was sweating from nerves.

His verdict, however, after getting the shot? “That wasn’t bad at all.”