| Influenza |
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| Disease Issues |
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| How serious a problem is influenza in the United States? |
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| Influenza is the second most frequent cause of death from a vaccine-preventable disease in the United States after COVID-19. Rates of infection from seasonal influenza are highest among children, but the risks for complications, hospitalizations, and deaths are higher among adults age 65 years and older, children younger than 5 years, pregnant individuals, and people of any age who have medical conditions that place them at increased risk for complications from influenza. |
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| From the 2010–11 through the 2019–20 seasons, the annual influenza-related disease burden has varied from approximately 9 to 45 million illnesses, 4 to 21 million medical visits, 140,000 to 810,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 to 61,000 deaths per year, including an average of 133 pediatric deaths reported to CDC (range 37–199) each year. For the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons, influenza disease burden was likely substantially reduced as a result of measures taken by many people to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, such as wearing face masks in public and reducing social interactions. Preliminary CDC estimates of the influenza burden during the 2021–22 season are: 8–11 million illnesses, 3.7–6.1 million medical visits, 82,000–170,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000–14,000 deaths. For more information on the health burden of influenza, see www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/index.html. |
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| What medical
conditions increase the risk of severe illness
from influenza? |
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| While even
healthy children and adults can get severe
influenza or die from influenza and its
complications, the risk of severe influenza is
higher for
children younger than 5 years, adults 50 years
and older, pregnant women, Alaska Natives and
American Indians, and residents of nursing
homes or
other long-term care facilities. Medical conditions that increase a person's risk of
severe influenza include chronic pulmonary
(including asthma),
cardiovascular (excluding isolated
hypertension), renal, hepatic, neurologic,
hematologic, or metabolic disorders (including
diabetes mellitus);
immunocompromising conditions due to any cause
(including but not limited to immune
suppression caused by medications or HIV);
extreme obesity
(body mass index of >40 for adults); and the
chronic use of aspirin- or salicylate-containing
medications in children through age 18 (due to
the risk of
Reye syndrome after influenza infection). |
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| More information
about risk factors for severe influenza
infection can be found at:
www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/index.htm. |
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| Since influenza virus circulation has been quite low since the fall of 2020, what might be expected for 2022–23 influenza season? |
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| The timing and severity of influenza seasons are always unpredictable. Influenza viruses circulated at very low levels while measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 were widely adopted, including social distancing, mask wearing, and reduction in travel. As the use of these COVID-19 mitigation measures has decreased, there has been an increase in the circulation of influenza and other respiratory viruses. Current information on influenza virus circulation can be found at www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm. |
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| Can influenza viruses circulate at the same time as SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19? |
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| Yes. Both viruses co-circulated at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, although the number of influenza viruses detected in the U.S. decreased substantially beginning in the spring of 2020 through early 2022. The extent to which SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses will co-circulate during the upcoming 2022-23 influenza is unknown, however, providers should anticipate increases in influenza as fewer people wear masks in public or practice social distancing. |
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| Where can I
get information on influenza and its
surveillance? |
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| Information
regarding influenza surveillance is available
year-round from CDC at
www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivitysurv.htm.
The full FluView surveillance
report is published each Friday afternoon from
October through mid-May and an abbreviated FluView report is published Mid-May through September. In
addition, periodic updates about influenza are
published in MMWR. |
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| State and local
health departments should be consulted
regarding availability of influenza vaccine,
access to vaccination programs, information
about state
or local influenza activity, and for reporting
influenza outbreaks and receiving advice
regarding their control. |
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| Please summarize what's new in the 2022–23 influenza vaccine recommendations. |
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| Yearly influenza vaccination continues to be recommended for everyone age 6 months and older. All available influenza vaccines in the United States continue to be quadrivalent (containing two influenza A and two influenza B strains). The changes in the CDC's published Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for influenza vaccination in 2022–2023 are summarized below: |
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The 2022–23 vaccines include new influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B/Victoria lineage virus vaccine antigens. |
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Flucelvax Quadrivalent (ccIIV4, Seqirus) is now FDA-approved for children age 6 months and older. |
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Adults age 65 years and older should preferentially receive one of three higher dose or adjuvanted influenza vaccines: Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent (HD-IIV4, Sanofi), Flublok Quadrivalent recombinant (RIV4, Sanofi), and Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted (aIIV4, Seqirus) influenza vaccines. If none of these three preferred vaccines are available, any age-appropriate flu vaccine may be used. |
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Updates were made to the recommended timing of vaccination. Influenza vaccination of most adults in July and August should be avoided unless there is a concern that later vaccination may not be possible. Vaccination in July and August may be considered for people in their third trimester of pregnancy. Children who need one or two doses can get vaccinated in July and August. Vaccination of everyone age 6 months and older should continue as long as influenza viruses are circulating, and unexpired vaccine is available. |
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| The current ACIP recommendations for influenza vaccination are available here: www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/rr/pdfs/rr7101a1-H.pdf. |
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| Who is
recommended to be vaccinated against
influenza? |
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| ACIP recommends
annual vaccination for all people ages 6
months and older who do not have a
contraindication to influenza vaccination. |
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| Which influenza vaccines will be available during the 2022–23 influenza season? |
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| Multiple manufacturers are producing quadrivalent influenza vaccine for the U.S. market for the 2022–23 season. Inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV4) will be produced using egg-based, cell culture-based, and recombinant technologies. Live attenuated nasal spray vaccine will also be available. |
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| Influenza vaccines are not all licensed for the same age groups. |
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| Immunize.org has a 1-page printable document that summarizes each of the products available for the current influenza vaccination season at www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4072.pdf. |
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| What are the vaccine viruses for the 2022–23 influenza season? |
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| Vaccine viruses differ by the type of vaccine (egg-based or non-egg-based), but they protect against the same strains of circulating viruses. |
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| For the 2022–23 season, U.S. egg-based influenza vaccines (i.e., vaccines other than ccIIV4 and RIV4) will contain hemagglutinin (HA) derived from: |
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an A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus; |
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an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus; |
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a B/Austria/1359417/2021-like virus (B/Victoria lineage); |
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a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus (B/Yamagata lineage) |
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| Cell- or recombinant-based influenza vaccines will contain HA derived from: |
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an A/Wisconsin/588/2019 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus; |
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an A/Darwin/6/2021 (H3N2)-like virus; |
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a B/Austria/1359417/2021-like virus (B/Victoria lineage); |
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a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus (B/Yamagata lineage). |
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| What influenza vaccines are available for children for the 2022–23 influenza season? |
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| Four egg-based quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV4s), all given as intramuscular (IM) injections, are available for children age 6 months and older: |
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Afluria Quadrivalent (Seqirus): 0.25 mL/dose for age 6 through 35 months; 0.5 mL/dose for age 3 years and older |
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Fluarix Quadrivalent (GSK): 0.5 mL/dose for age 6 months and older |
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FluLaval Quadrivalent (GSK): 0.5 mL/dose for age 6 months and older |
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Fluzone Quadrivalent (Sanofi): 0.25 mL or 0.5 mL per dose for age 6 through 35 months; 0.5 mL/dose age 3 years and older |
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| Flucelvax Quadrivalent (ccIIV4, Seqirus) cell-based vaccine (no egg antigen) is 0.5 mL/dose (IM) for age 6 months and older. |
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| FluMist Quadrivalent (LAIV4, AstraZeneca) egg-based live nasal spray vaccine is 0.2 mL (intranasal, 0.1 mL in each nostril) for healthy, non-pregnant children age 2 years and older. |
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| What influenza vaccines are available for adults? |
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| Four egg-based quadrivalent standard dose IIV vaccines (SD-IIV4s), all given as intramuscular (IM) injections, for all adults age 18 years and older: |
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Afluria Quadrivalent (Seqirus): 0.5 mL/dose |
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Fluarix Quadrivalent (GSK): 0.5 mL/dose |
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FluLaval Quadrivalent (GSK): 0.5 mL/dose |
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Fluzone Quadrivalent (Sanofi): 0.5 mL/dose |
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| Flucelvax Quadrivalent (ccIIV4, Seqirus) cell-based vaccine (no egg antigen) is 0.5 mL/dose (IM) for age 6 months and older. |
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| Flublok Quadrivalent (RIV4, Sanofi): recombinant, egg-free vaccine 0.5 mL/dose (given IM) for all adults age 18 years and older. |
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| FluMist Quadrivalent (LAIV4, AstraZeneca): egg-based, live nasal spray vaccine is 0.2 mL (given intranasally, 0.1 mL in each nostril) for healthy, non-pregnant adults through age 49 years. |
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| Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent (egg-based HD-IIV4, Sanofi): 0.7 mL (given IM), for adults age 65 years and older. |
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| Fluad Quadrivalent (egg-based aIIV4, Seqirus): 0.5 mL (given IM), for adults age 65 years and older. |
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| Are any of the available flu vaccines recommended over others? |
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| For people 6 months through 64 years old, CDC recommends any available age-appropriate vaccine product. |
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| For adults 65 years and older, three flu vaccines are preferentially recommended: Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent, Flublok Quadrivalent recombinant, and Fluad Quadrivalent adjuvanted flu vaccines. In June 2022, ACIP concluded that these three vaccines are potentially more effective than standard dose, unadjuvanted flu vaccines. However, if none of the three vaccines are available, people 65 years and older should get any other age-appropriate flu vaccine. |
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| Review the full explanation for the ACIP decision in the current published ACIP recommendations for influenza vaccination: www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/rr/pdfs/rr7101a1-H.pdf. |
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| Which children younger than age 9 years will need 2 doses of influenza vaccine in this influenza season? |
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| Children age 6 months through 8 years should receive a second dose 4 weeks or more after the first dose 1) if they are receiving influenza vaccine for the first time, 2) if they have not received a total of at least two doses of any seasonal influenza vaccine before July 1 of the current year, or 3) if their vaccination history is unknown. The two previous doses need not have been received during the same season or consecutive seasons. |
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| Children who are 8 years old and are recommended to receive two doses during the current season but who have a 9th birthday during the current season before receiving dose 2 should still receive dose 2. |
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| Immunize.org's handout titled "Guide for Determining the Number of Doses of Influenza Vaccine to Give to Children Age 6 Months Through 8 Years" provides additional guidance on this issue; it is available at www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3093.pdf. |
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| When does CDC recommend starting influenza vaccination? |
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| For most people, vaccination should begin in September and, ideally, be done by the end of October. For people not vaccinated by the end of October, vaccination efforts should continue as long as influenza viruses are circulating and unexpired vaccine is available. |
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| For most adults, vaccination in July and August should be avoided unless there is concern that vaccination later in the season might not be possible. Early vaccination has been associated with decreased vaccine effectiveness before the end of the influenza season, particularly among older adults. |
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| Vaccination in July and August may be considered for people in their third trimester of pregnancy, to allow time for protective maternal antibodies to transfer to the fetus, providing protection during early infancy. Children younger than 9 years old who need two doses of vaccine this season should receive their first dose as soon as possible so that they can get their second dose before the end of October. Children who need only one dose also can be vaccinated in July or August. |
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| Should our practice consider revaccinating our high risk and older patients a second time during the year due to concerns with waning immunity? |
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| For people who have already been vaccinated, additional vaccination later in the season is not recommended. |
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| How late in the season can I vaccinate my patients with influenza vaccine? |
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| Peak influenza activity generally occurs in the Northern Hemisphere in January or February. Providers should continue vaccinating patients through spring, as long as there is continued circulation of influenza viruses and they have unexpired vaccine in stock and unvaccinated patients in their office. |
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| Because influenza occurs in many areas of the world during April through September, vaccine should be given to travelers who missed vaccination in the preceding fall and winter. Another late season use of vaccine is for children younger than age 9 years who needed 2 doses of vaccine but failed to get their second dose early in the season. For each of these situations, vaccine can be given through the month of June since most injectable influenza vaccine has a June 30 expiration date. |
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| May influenza vaccines be given at the same time as other vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines? |
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| Yes. CDC's clinical guidance for the use of COVID-19 vaccines states that any vaccine may be given on the same day or any day before or after COVID-19 vaccination, at a different anatomic site. According to the CDC's "General Best Practice Guidelines for Immunization," simultaneously administering all vaccines for which a person is eligible at the time of a visit increases the probability that a person will be fully vaccinated by the appropriate time. |
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| IIV4 and RIV4 can be administered without regard to the timing of other live or inactivated vaccines. Injectable vaccines should be administered in separate anatomic sites when given on the same day. |
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| LAIV4 may be given on the same day as any other live or inactivated vaccines. However, if two live vaccines are not given on the same day, they should be separated by at least 4 weeks. |
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| Which
travelers are recommended to get influenza
vaccine? |
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| Healthcare
providers should vaccinate any person who
failed to get vaccinated in the previous
vaccination season and who wants to reduce
their risk of getting influenza during their
upcoming travel, particularly if they are at high risk for influenza-related complications.
This includes people who are traveling to the
tropics, traveling with organized tourist
groups at any time of year, or traveling to
the Southern Hemisphere during
April–September. |
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| If a patient
received a dose of influenza vaccine in June
(for example, for international travel), how
long should the patient wait before getting
vaccinated with the next season's flu vaccine? |
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| There should be a
minimum of 4 weeks between the doses in such
situations. |
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| What are CDC
recommendations for influenza vaccination of
people who have already become ill with influenza during the season? |
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| Because more than
one type or subtype of influenza virus can
circulate in any given influenza season,
providers should offer influenza vaccination
to unvaccinated people throughout the
influenza season, including people who may
have had an influenza illness already in the
season. |
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| How long does immunity from influenza vaccine last? |
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| Protection from influenza vaccine wanes over time post-vaccination (the speed of waning varying by strain and by recipient age) but generally persists for at least 5-6 months. |
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| Some of my
patients refuse influenza vaccination because
they insist they "got the flu" after receiving
the injectable vaccine in the past. What can I
tell them? |
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| There are several
reasons why this misconception persists: |
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Less than 1%
of people who are vaccinated with the
injectable vaccine develop flu-like
symptoms, such as mild fever and muscle
aches, after vaccination. These side
effects are not the same as having
influenza, but people confuse the
symptoms. |
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Protective immunity doesn't develop until
1–2 weeks after vaccination. Some people
who get vaccinated later in the season
(December or later) may be infected with
influenza virus shortly afterward. These
late vaccinees develop influenza because
they were exposed to someone with the
virus before they became immune. It is not
the result of the vaccination. |
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For many people, "the flu" is any illness
with fever, cold symptoms or
gastrointestinal symptoms. If they get any
viral illness, they may blame it on flu
vaccine or think they got "the flu"
despite being vaccinated. Influenza
vaccine only protects against certain
influenza viruses, not all viruses. |
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Influenza vaccination is our best
protection against influenza disease;
however, some people who are vaccinated
will still get influenza illness despite
vaccination. |
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| While vaccine
effectiveness (VE) can vary, recent studies
show that flu vaccination reduces the risk of
flu illness by between 40% and 60% among the
overall population during seasons when most
circulating flu viruses are well-matched to
the flu vaccine. VE is generally lower for
adults age 65 years and older. Influenza
vaccination has also been shown to reduce
influenza disease severity even if someone
does get sick after vaccination, and reduces
the risk of influenza hospitalization, and
deaths in children and adults. Influenza
vaccination also reduces the risk of acute
cardiac events, like heart attack and heart
failure, among people with heart disease. |
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| For more
information on this topic, go to:
www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/index.html. |
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| When administering influenza vaccine, is giving patients a vaccine information statement (VIS) mandatory or is it only "recommended"? |
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| Giving patients an influenza Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) is mandatory under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986. The VIS must be given to all adults as well as to parents or guardians of children prior to vaccination. Two VISs are available, one for live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) and one for inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) and recombinant vaccine (RIV). Each can be found at www.immunize.org/vis/ in multiple languages. The current influenza vaccine VISs are dated August 6, 2021. |
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| The latest VIS for all vaccines plus translations in multiple languages are located on the Immunize.org website www.immunize.org/vis/. |
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| Are there
recommendations for the prevention of
institutional outbreaks of influenza? |
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| The most
important factor in preventing outbreaks is
annual vaccination of all residents and staff
who work at facilities such as nursing homes,
assisted living facilities, and other group
living situations. Groups that should be targeted include physicians, nurses, and other
personnel in hospitals and outpatient settings
who have contact with high-risk patients in
all age groups, and providers of home care to
high-risk people (for example, visiting
nurses, therapists, and volunteers). |
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| We are trying
to provide influenza vaccination to all
eligible patients during their stay in our
hospital. If a patient does not remember if he
or she has already received the vaccine this
season, should we go ahead and vaccinate? |
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| If a patient or
family member cannot remember if the patient
received influenza vaccine this season and no
record is available, proceed with
administering influenza vaccine, even if it
might mean an extra dose is given. When a
patient reports that they HAVE received
influenza vaccine but does not have written
documentation, ACIP states that in the
specific case of influenza (and pneumococcal
polysaccharide) vaccination, patient
self-report of being vaccinated can be
accepted as evidence of vaccination. |
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| Live
Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV)
Issues |
Back to top |
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| For whom is FluMist Quadrivalent approved? |
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| FluMist Quadrivalent (LAIV4; AstraZeneca) is currently approved by FDA only for healthy non-pregnant people age 2 through 49 years. |
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| Is administering FluMist an aerosol-generating procedure requiring airborne precautions? |
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| No. Giving FluMist is not considered an aerosol-generating procedure. |
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| How is FluMist administered? |
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| The vaccine dose (0.2 mL) comes inside a special sprayer device. A plastic clip on the plunger divides the dose into two equal parts. The patient is seated in an upright position with head tilted back. Half of the contents of the sprayer (0.1 mL) is sprayed into each nostril. |
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| Can FluMist be administered to people with minor acute illnesses, such as a mild upper respiratory infection (URI) with or without fever? |
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| Yes, unless clinical judgment suggests nasal congestion is present that might keep the vaccine from making good contact with the nasopharyngeal mucosa. In that case, consider either deferring its use until the congestion resolves or using an appropriate alternative influenza vaccine, if available. |
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| Can a woman who is breastfeeding receive FluMist? |
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| Yes. Breastfeeding is not a contraindication for any routine vaccination including FluMist. |
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| Can FluMist be given to contacts of immunosuppressed patients? |
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| With rare exceptions, yes. Like other live vaccines, FluMist should not be administered to immunosuppressed people. ACIP has stated a preference for using inactivated influenza vaccine for all close contacts of severely immunosuppressed individuals (for example, patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplants) during those periods in which the immunosuppressed person requires care in a protective environment because of the theoretical risk that the live attenuated vaccine virus could be transmitted to the severely immunosuppressed individual and cause disease. Healthcare personnel or other people who have close contact with people with lesser degrees of immunosuppression (for example, people with diabetes, people with asthma taking corticosteroids, or people living with HIV) who are otherwise eligible for FluMist may receive it. No special precautions need to be taken by the vaccinated person. |
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| How long after someone is vaccinated with FluMist must they stay away from a severely immunosuppressed person (a person who is hospitalized in protective [reverse] isolation)? |
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| People should avoid contact with any person who is severely immunosuppressed for at least 7 days after receiving FluMist. There are no restrictions on being in contact with any other patients. |
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| Is FluMist contraindicated for people with asthma? |
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| Asthma is a precaution for FluMist in people 5 years of age and older. FluMist is contraindicated for children 2 through 4 years old who have had a diagnosis of asthma or whose parents or caregivers report that a health care provider has told them during the preceding 12 months that their child had wheezing or asthma or whose medical record indicates a wheezing episode has occurred during the preceding 12 months. |
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| Can we give FluMist to a person who is taking an influenza antiviral medication? |
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| An antiviral drug active against influenza virus may reduce the effectiveness of FluMist. ACIP has recommended different intervals between the last dose of an antiviral medication and FluMist administration, based upon the half-life of the antiviral medication. The new recommendations are as follows: |
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Oseltamivir or zanamivir: wait at least 48 hours after last dose before administering FluMist |
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Peramivir: wait at least 5 days before administering FluMist |
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Baloxavir: wait at least 17 days before administering FluMist |
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| If any influenza antiviral medication must be given within 14 days after FluMist administration, the patient should be revaccinated without delay with any age-appropriate inactivated influenza vaccine. All inactivated influenza vaccines and recombinant influenza vaccine (Flublok Quadrivalent) may be administered at any time relative to antiviral medication. |
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| One of our young patients made it impossible to administer the second part of the FluMist dose. What should we do? |
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| A half dose of FluMist (or any other vaccine) is a non-standard dose and should not be counted. If you were unable to give the second half of the vaccine at that same appointment, you will have to provide another full dose of influenza vaccine at another time. If you want to give FluMist again, you should wait four weeks, because it is a live vaccine. Alternatively, you can give inactivated influenza vaccine any time after this partial dose. |
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| Which children
should receive influenza vaccine? |
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| ACIP recommends
annual influenza vaccination for all children
age 6 months and older who do not have a contraindication to the vaccine. |
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| Please provide details about the inactivated influenza vaccine options for children younger than 3 years. |
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| There are now five inactivated influenza vaccine options for children younger than age 3 years. |
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| Cell-culture-based Flucelvax Quadrivalent (ccIIV4, Seqirus) is available to children ages 6 months and older: administer 0.5 mL/dose intramuscularly (IM). |
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| There are four egg-based quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV4s), all given as IM injections, available for children age 6 through 35 months: |
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Afluria Quadrivalent (Seqirus): 0.25 mL/dose |
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Fluarix Quadrivalent (GSK): 0.5 mL/dose |
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FluLaval Quadrivalent (GSK): 0.5 mL/dose |
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Fluzone Quadrivalent (Sanofi): 0.25 mL or 0.5 mL per dose |
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| Which children younger than age 9 years will need 2 doses of influenza vaccine in this influenza season? |
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| Children age 6 months through 8 years should receive a second dose 4 weeks or more after the first dose 1) if they are receiving influenza vaccine for the first time, 2) if they have not received a total of at least two doses of any seasonal influenza vaccine before July 1 of the current year, or 3) if their vaccination history is unknown. The two previous doses need not have been received during the same season or consecutive seasons. |
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| Children who are 8 years old and are recommended to receive two doses during the current season but who have a 9th birthday during the current season before receiving dose 2 should still receive dose 2. |
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| Immunize.org's handout titled "Guide for Determining the Number of Doses of Influenza Vaccine to Give to Children Age 6 Months Through 8 Years" provides additional guidance on this issue; it is available at www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3093.pdf. |
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| When determining whether a child age 2 through 8 years needs one or two doses of influenza vaccine this season, can we count doses of FluMist administered in past years? |
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| Yes. CDC advises that doses of FluMist administered in past seasons can be counted. |
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| If a child age
8 years or younger has had one dose of
trivalent and one dose of quadrivalent
influenza vaccine in the past, do they need
one or two doses
for the upcoming season? |
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| They need just
one dose of any appropriate influenza vaccine
annually. |
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| Can a child age 6 months through 8 years who needs 2 doses of influenza vaccine this season receive different products for the two doses or do they have to be the same? |
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| The two doses may be the same or different products. |
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| If a child receives Afluria Quadrivalent vaccine (0.25 mL) at age 34 months for the first time and then returns for the second dose at age 37 months, should we give another 0.25 mL dose of Afluria Quadrivalent or should we give the 0.5 mL dose that is indicated for age 3 years and older? |
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| The child should always receive the dose appropriate for his or her age at the time of the clinic visit; at age 37 months that would be a 0.5 mL dose of Afluria Quadrivalent. |
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| Can a clinic vaccinate children younger than age 3 years with influenza vaccine taken from a multi-dose vial of influenza vaccine? The multi-dose vials contain thimerosal as a preservative. |
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| Yes. Multi-dose vials of inactivated influenza vaccine contain a small amount of thimerosal to prevent bacterial and fungal growth in the vial. Thimerosal-containing vaccines are safe to use in children. No scientific evidence indicates that thimerosal in vaccines causes adverse events unless the patient has a severe allergy to thimerosal. Despite this, a few states have enacted legislation that restricts the use of thimerosal-containing vaccines in children. To find out if your state has such restrictions, check with your state immunization program (see www.immunize.org/coordinators for contact information). |
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| Do any children age 9 years need two total doses during an influenza season? |
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| Yes, but only if the 9-year-old meets all of the criteria below: |
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they turned 9 years old during the current season, and |
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they received one dose during the current season before turning 9, and |
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they have no or unknown history of receiving any previous dose of influenza vaccine before July 1 of the current year. |
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| There is a
debate within my clinical department about not
allowing influenza vaccine to be given with DTaP and PCV13. Are there data that state
these
should not be given concomitantly? |
|
| A CDC study has
shown a small increased risk for febrile
seizures during the 24 hours after a child
receives the inactivated influenza vaccine at
the same
time as the PCV13 vaccine or DTaP vaccine.
However, the risk of febrile seizure with any
combination of these vaccines is small and
ACIP recommends
giving these vaccines at the same visit if
indicated. See
www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/febrile-seizures.html
for more information. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Is influenza vaccine recommended during pregnancy? |
|
| Yes. It is especially important to vaccinate during pregnancy because of the increased risk for influenza-related complications during pregnancy and the baby's increased risk of influenza-related illness and hospitalizations during the first 6 months of life. |
|
| Influenza vaccination during pregnancy reduces mothers' risk of influenza illness, preterm labor, and their infants' risk of influenza and influenza-related hospitalization in the first 6 months of life. |
|
| Vaccination can occur in any trimester, including the first. Only inactivated or recombinant influenza vaccines may be given to pregnant women. FluMist, a live vaccine, should not be given during pregnancy. |
|
| Why do we vaccinate against influenza during pregnancy when it is not recommended to vaccinate infants younger than age 6 months? |
|
| ACIP has recommended vaccinating during pregnancy with inactivated influenza vaccine since 1997. Pregnant people are at increased risk for complications, hospitalization, and even death from influenza because of the increased physiologic strain of pregnancy on their heart, lungs, and immune system. Vaccination can occur in any trimester, including the first. |
|
| Influenza vaccine is not recommended for children younger than age 6 months because it is not approved for this age group. However, vaccinating during pregnancy provides maternal antibodies to the fetus; this helps protect the young infant against influenza during the first 6 months of life. Vaccinating pregnant people protects the pregnant person, their unborn babies, and their babies after birth. |
|
| Does ACIP recommend one influenza product over another during pregnancy? |
|
| Pregnant people may receive any inactivated or recombinant influenza vaccine. They should not be given FluMist Quadrivalent because it is a live-virus vaccine. |
|
| Can thimerosal-containing vaccine be given during pregnancy? |
|
| Yes, unless you live in a state that has enacted legislation restricting use in pregnancy. There is no scientific evidence that thimerosal in vaccines is a cause of adverse events unless the patient has a systemic allergy to thimerosal. |
|
|
If a patient was vaccinated earlier in the influenza season and later becomes pregnant during the same season, should they be revaccinated due to pregnancy? |
|
| No. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) does not recommend more than one dose of influenza vaccine per season, except for certain children being vaccinated for the first time. |
|
| I heard that a study suggested an increase in miscarriage among people who received inactivated influenza vaccine. Please provide details. |
|
| A CDC-funded study found that people who had been vaccinated early in pregnancy with an influenza vaccine containing the pandemic H1N1 (H1N1pdm09) component and who also had been vaccinated the prior season with an H1N1pdm09-containing influenza vaccine had an increased risk of spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) in the 28 days after vaccination. This study did not quantify the risk of miscarriage and did not prove that influenza vaccine was the cause of the miscarriage. Earlier studies have not found a link between influenza vaccination and miscarriage. A larger follow-up study also funded by CDC which included 3 more years of data found no association between early miscarriage and influenza vaccination regardless of previous influenza season vaccination. These results are reassuring regarding the safety of influenza vaccination during pregnancy. |
|
| CDC, ACIP, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) all recommend influenza vaccination during any trimester of pregnancy. Influenza poses a danger to pregnant people and the vaccine can prevent influenza in pregnant people and their infants. |
|
| A co-worker of
mine says we are supposed to give infants
preservative-free influenza vaccine. Is this
true? |
|
| No. CDC and ACIP
express no preference for preservative-free
vaccine for infants or any other group of
vaccine recipients. |
|
| No scientific
evidence exists that thimerosal in vaccines is
a cause of adverse events unless the patient
has a systemic allergy to thimerosal. However,
some states have enacted legislation that
restricts the use of thimerosal-containing
vaccines. Check with your state immunization
manager to see if your
state is one of them (www.immunize.org/coordinators). |
|
| Do people with
diabetes who control their disease with diet
need influenza vaccine? |
|
| People with a
metabolic disease, including diabetes, should
receive annual influenza vaccination with an inactivated or recombinant influenza vaccine. |
|
| Is influenza
vaccine safe to administer to patients with
multiple sclerosis? |
|
| Yes. Multiple
sclerosis is not a contraindication to any
vaccine, including influenza and pneumococcal
vaccines. |
|
| Does influenza
vaccine increase the HIV titer in the blood of
people with HIV infection? |
|
| Although some
studies have demonstrated a transient increase
in replication of HIV following inactivated
influenza vaccine, other studies have not
found
this. This temporary increase in HIV titer has
not been associated with deterioration in
either T-lymphocyte counts or clinical
condition. ACIP believes that
annual influenza vaccination with inactivated
vaccine will benefit many HIV-infected people. |
|
| Please tell me about Fluad Quadrivalent, one of the influenza vaccines for people age 65 years and older. |
|
| In November 2015, FDA licensed Fluad (aIIV3, Seqirus), a trivalent, MF59-adjuvanted inactivated influenza vaccine, for people age 65 years and older. Fluad is now quadrivalent (aIIV4). Fluad is the first adjuvanted influenza vaccine marketed in the U.S. An adjuvant is a substance added to a vaccine to increase the immune response to vaccination. The MF59 adjuvant is based on squalene, an oil that occurs naturally in many plants and animals. Fluad has been used in Europe since 1997 and is approved in many other countries. In contrast to Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent (Sanofi), Fluad is a standard-dose vaccine, containing 15 mcg of hemagglutinin per virus per dose. |
|
| Is it true that ACIP and CDC now recommend certain influenza vaccines over others for people age 65 years and older? |
|
|
Aging decreases the body's ability to develop a good immune response after getting influenza vaccine, which places older people at greater risk of severe illness from influenza. |
|
|
After years of review and deliberation, ACIP voted in June 2022 to recommend that all adults age 65 and older should preferentially receive one of the three different vaccine products that evidence suggests are likely to perform better than standard dose, unadjuvanted vaccines: Flublok recombinant quadrivalent influenza vaccine (RIV4, Sanofi), Fluad quadrivalent adjuvanted vaccine (aIIV4, Seqirus), and Fluzone High-Dose quadrivalent vaccine (HD-IIV, Sanofi). However, if none of these three vaccines is available at the time of vaccination, any age-appropriate influenza vaccine may be administered. |
|
|
For a thorough review of the evidence for this recommendation, see the current published ACIP recommendations for influenza vaccination: www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/rr/pdfs/rr7101a1-H.pdf. |
|
| Should Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent or Fluad Quadrivalent be administered to patients younger than age 65 years? |
|
|
No. These vaccines are licensed only for people age 65 years and older and are not recommended for younger people. |
|
| Can Flublok Quadrivalent (recombinant influenza vaccine, Sanofi) be given to adults younger than age 65 years? |
|
|
Yes, Flublok is licensed and recommended for adults age 18 years and older. |
|
| Would giving
an older patient 2 doses of standard-dose
influenza vaccine be the same as administering the high-dose product? |
|
|
No, and this is not recommended. |
|
| If a patient is undergoing treatment for cancer, is it safe to vaccinate her or him against influenza? |
|
|
People with cancer need to be protected from influenza, and they can and should receive inactivated or recombinant influenza vaccine (but not live nasal spray vaccine [FluMist]) even if they are immunosuppressed. Cancer patients and survivors are at higher risk for complications from influenza, including hospitalization and death. Here is a helpful CDC web page on cancer and influenza for patients: www.cdc.gov/cancer/flu. |
|
| How soon after
bone marrow transplant do we start to
vaccinate our patients against influenza? |
|
|
Inactivated influenza vaccine or recombinant
influenza vaccine should be administered
beginning at least 6 months after bone marrow
transplant and
annually thereafter for the life of the
patient. A dose of vaccine can be given as
early as 4 months after transplant, but a
second dose should be
considered in this situation. A second dose is
recommended routinely for all children younger
than 9 years receiving influenza vaccine for
the first time. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Why is
influenza vaccination important for HCP? |
|
| We already
encourage them to stay home from work when
they are sick. Unfortunately, by the time a
HCP has symptoms of influenza, they may have
already exposed many patients since the virus
is shed for 1–2 days before symptoms begin.
Further, many studies show that HCP often go
to work while
they are sick and may be infectious to others.
Start planning early to make sure all
employees in your work setting receive annual
influenza vaccination
before the influenza season begins. |
|
| What are the ACIP recommendations for influenza vaccination of health care professionals (HCP)? |
|
| Because HCP provide care to patients at high risk for complications of influenza, they should be considered a high-priority group for receiving vaccination. Achieving high rates of vaccination among HCP will protect staff and their patients, and reduce disease burden and healthcare costs. Vaccination rates of HCP are still too low; overall only 76% of HCP report influenza vaccination during the 2020-21 season. |
|
| Influenza vaccination key points for HCP include: |
|
| • |
|
All HCP should be educated regarding the benefits of influenza vaccination |
|
|
|
| • |
|
Influenza vaccine should be administered annually to all eligible HCP |
|
|
|
| • |
|
A signed declination should be obtained from HCP who decline influenza vaccination |
|
|
|
| • |
|
Healthcare facilities should monitor HCP influenza vaccination coverage and declination at regular intervals |
|
|
|
| • |
|
HCP vaccination coverage should be used as one measure of a patient-safety quality program |
|
|
| In 2011, ACIP published "Immunization of Health-Care Personnel," which includes information about all recommended vaccines (see www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr6007.pdf). |
|
| Which healthcare personnel should be vaccinated against influenza? |
|
| It is important
to vaccinate all healthcare personnel,
including paid and unpaid workers who may be
exposed to patients or infectious materials.
This
includes direct patient care staff (e.g.,
physicians, nurses, and therapists), and staff
and volunteers in pharmacy, radiology,
laboratory, human resources,
facilities management (housekeeping), food
services, and laundry. Vaccination should
include healthcare staff in all settings, such
as hospitals, outpatient
clinics, pharmacies, emergency response,
nursing homes and assisted living facilities,
and home care. |
|
| Which
employees of congregate living facilities,
such as assisted living facilities and nursing
homes, should be vaccinated against influenza? |
|
| All people
working in long-term care facilities who do
not have a valid contraindication should
receive annual influenza vaccination. |
|
| What is the Joint Commission's recommendation on vaccinating healthcare workers against influenza? |
|
| Since January
2007 the Joint Commission has required
accredited organizations to offer annual
influenza vaccination to staff, volunteers,
and licensed
independent practitioners who have close
patient contact. |
|
| I would like
to help establish a policy of mandatory
influenza vaccination for HCP in our facility
and would like to learn from others. Can you
help? |
|
| Every year more healthcare facilities are adopting mandatory vaccination policies for their employees. Immunize.org has included more than 1,150 of these on its Honor Roll for Patient Safety, which gives special recognition to institutions that enforce mandatory vaccination for all personnel who are in the vicinity of a patient (including volunteers and housekeeping staff). To read about the policies of the various facilities included in the Honor Roll, go to www.immunize.org/honor-roll/influenza-mandates/honorees.asp. In addition, the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit (NAIIS) has developed tools to assist post-acute and long-term care facilities that plan to implement influenza vaccination requirements for HCP at www.izsummitpartners.org/naiis-workgroups/influenza-workgroup/tools-for-ltcf/. We hope reviewing these policies and tools will give you the information you need to assist in developing a policy for your facility. |
|
| We have a
mandatory vaccination policy in our facility;
however, we allow employees to choose not to
be vaccinated after filling out and signing an
informed declination form. What can we do to
achieve assurances that patient safety is
still maintained? |
|
| Though
vaccination is the most effective means of
protecting your patients from influenza, there
may be instances where employees are not
vaccinated
for medical or personal reasons. In these
instances, you may want to consider reassigning unvaccinated workers to
non-patient areas or requiring that
they wear masks throughout the influenza season. |
|
| Does the
federal law that requires providing patients
with VISs apply when administering influenza vaccine to employees and volunteers in
hospitals or
other workplaces? |
|
| If a vaccine is
covered under the National Childhood Vaccine
Injury Act—and almost all vaccines routinely administered to adults are (with the exception
of PPSV and zoster)—it is mandatory under
federal law to give the VIS for that vaccine
to the vaccinee. Therefore, when you give
influenza vaccine to
employees and staff, you are required by law
to provide them with a VIS. |
|
| Why does CDC
recommend that we consider obtaining a signed
declination from HCP who refuse influenza
vaccination? |
|
| Some studies have shown an increase in HCP influenza vaccine acceptance when decliners are required to sign such a statement. In addition, such statements can help a vaccination program assess the reasons for declination and plan future educational efforts. Immunize.org has posted the following suggested declination form for healthcare workers at www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4068.pdf. |
|
| Please tell me which professional associations have endorsed mandatory influenza vaccination for HCP and have created policy statements. |
|
| There are many professional associations that have issued policy statements supporting mandatory healthcare worker influenza vaccination. You can find information about these organizations as well as a list of more than 1,150 healthcare settings that have implemented mandatory vaccination programs on Immunize.org's website at Immunize.org's Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll web section at www.immunize.org/honor-roll/influenza-mandates/. |
|
|
|
|
|
| What are contraindications and precautions for inactivated or recombinant influenza vaccines? |
|
| Contraindications to egg-based inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV) are a severe allergic reaction to a prior dose of any influenza vaccine (any egg-based IIV, ccIIV, RIV, or LAIV of any valency) or a severe allergy to an influenza vaccine component (except egg). |
|
| Precautions to egg-based IIV include moderate or severe acute illness, and history of Guillain-Barré syndrome within 6 weeks after a dose of influenza vaccine. |
|
| Contraindications to ccIIV4 are a history of a severe allergic reaction or any component of ccIIV4. |
|
| Precautions to ccIIV4 are moderate or severe acute illness, a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome within 6 weeks after a dose of influenza vaccine, and a history of a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of any other influenza vaccine (e.g., any egg-based IIV, RIV, or LAIV). |
|
| Contraindications to RIV4 are a history of a severe allergic reaction or any component of RIV4. |
|
| Precautions to RIV4 are moderate or severe acute illness, a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome within 6 weeks after a dose of influenza vaccine, and a history of a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of any other influenza vaccine (e.g., any egg-based IIV, ccIIV, or LAIV). |
|
| What are the
contraindications and precautions for people
with a history of a severe allergic reaction
to a previous influenza vaccination? |
|
A severe allergic reaction to any influenza vaccine is a contraindication to receiving additional doses of the same vaccine or receiving any egg-based influenza vaccines. The following table summarizes the contraindications and precautions for different types of influenza vaccine and is adapted from table 3 of the 2022–23 influenza ACIP recommendations at
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/rr/pdfs/rr7101a1-H.pdf: |
|
| Vaccine (of any valency) associated with previous serious or anaphylactic reaction |
Available 2022–23 influenza vaccines |
| |
Egg-based IIV4s
and LAIV4 |
Cell-culture-based
IIV4: ccIIV4
(Flucelvax) |
Recombinant IIV4:
RIV4 (Flublok) |
| Any egg-based IIV or LAIV |
Contraindication |
Precaution † |
Precaution † |
| Any ccIIV |
Contraindication |
Contraindication |
Precaution † |
| Any RIV |
Contraindication |
Precaution † |
Contraindication |
| Unknown influenza vaccine |
Allergist consultation recommended |
|
|
|
† Note regarding patients having either of the above precautions for either ccIIV or IIV: use of ccIIV4 and RIV4 in such instances should occur in an inpatient or outpatient medical setting under the supervision of a healthcare provider (HCP) who can recognize and manage severe allergic reaction; HCPs can also consider consulting with an allergist to help identify the vaccine component responsible for the reaction. |
|
| What are the contraindications and precautions for FluMist Quadrivalent (LAIV4)? |
|
| Contraindications are: |
|
| • |
|
a history of severe allergic reaction to a vaccine component (except egg) or after a previous dose of any influenza vaccine |
|
|
|
| • |
|
concomitant aspirin or salicylate-containing therapy in children and adolescents because of the risk of Reye syndrome |
|
|
|
| • |
|
children age 2 through 4 years who have received a diagnosis of asthma or whose parents or caregivers report that a healthcare provider has told them during the preceding 12 months that their child had wheezing or asthma or whose medical record indicates a wheezing episode during the preceding 12 months |
|
|
|
| • |
|
immunosuppression due to any cause including medications or HIV infection |
|
|
|
| • |
|
cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leak, cochlear implant, or anatomic asplenia or functional asplenia (e.g., due to sickle cell anemia) |
|
|
|
| • |
|
close contacts and caregivers of severely immunosuppressed people who require a protected environment (e.g., reverse isolation in a hospital) |
|
|
|
| • |
|
pregnancy |
|
|
|
| • |
|
receipt of influenza antiviral medication within the previous 48 hours (oseltamivir or zanamivir), previous 5 days (peramivir), or previous 17 days (baloxavir). |
|
|
| Precautions are: |
|
| • |
|
moderate or severe acute illness with or without fever (defer) |
|
|
|
| • |
|
history of Guillain-Barré syndrome within 6 weeks after a dose of influenza vaccine |
|
|
|
| • |
|
asthma in a person age 5 years or older |
|
|
|
| • |
|
underlying medical conditions that might predispose to complications after influenza virus infection, such as chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular (except isolated hypertension), renal, hepatic, neurologic, hematologic, or metabolic disorders including diabetes mellitus |
|
|
| What is the latest ACIP guidance on influenza vaccination and egg allergy? |
|
| ACIP recommends that people with a history of egg allergy who have experienced only hives after exposure to egg should receive influenza vaccine without specific precautions (except the standard 15-minute observation period for syncope). Any age-appropriate vaccine may be used. |
|
| People who report having had a reaction to eggs involving symptoms other than urticaria (hives) (e.g., angioedema or swelling, respiratory distress, lightheadedness, or recurrent vomiting) or who required epinephrine or other emergency medical attention can also receive any age-appropriate influenza vaccine. If a vaccine other than Flucelvax Quadrivalent (ccIIV, Seqirus) or Flublok Quadrivalent (RIV4, Sanofi) is given, the vaccine should be administered in an inpatient or outpatient medical setting. Vaccine administration should be supervised by a healthcare provider who is able to recognize and manage severe allergic conditions. |
|
| Although not specifically recommended by ACIP, providers may prefer administering an age-appropriate egg-free vaccine (ccIIV4 or RIV4) to patients with severe egg allergy. |
|
| A previous severe allergic reaction to influenza vaccine, regardless of the component suspected to be responsible for the reaction, is a contraindication to future receipt of the vaccine. For a complete list of vaccine components (i.e., excipients and culture media) used in the production of the vaccine, check the package insert (available at www.immunize.org/fda) or go to www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdf. |
|
| For more details about giving influenza vaccine to people with a history of egg allergy, see the ACIP guidance at www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/rr/pdfs/rr6908a1-H.pdf. You may also find the Immunize.org handout "Influenza Vaccination of People with a History of Egg Allergy" helpful (see www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3094.pdf). |
|
| Is allergy to
chicken or duck feathers a contraindication to
receipt of an egg-based influenza vaccine? |
|
| No. |
|
| The influenza
VIS states that giving pneumococcal conjugate
vaccine and inactivated influenza vaccine simultaneously to young children may increase
the risk of febrile seizures. Can we continue
to give these two vaccines at the same time? |
|
| Yes, you can. Some, but not all, studies have reported increased rates of febrile seizures among children, especially those age 12 through 23 months, who received simultaneous vaccination with IIV and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13, Pfizer) or DTaP vaccine (Daptacel, Infanrix, Pediarix, Pentacel), when compared with children who received these vaccines separately. However, because of the risks associated with delaying either of these vaccines, ACIP does not recommend administering them at separate visits or deviating from the recommended vaccine schedule in any way. |
|
| Febrile seizures may be triggered by any cause of fever and occur in up to 5% of all children, and they are generally benign. Healthcare providers should be prepared to answer parents' questions about febrile seizures and fever when discussing vaccinations. Here is a helpful CDC resource: www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/febrile-seizures.html |
|
| We usually
instruct our patients that they should
separate vaccinations and allergy shots by at
least 24 hours because if there were a
reaction to one or
the other, it wouldn't be possible to
determine which was the cause. This becomes
problematic during influenza vaccination
season. What should we do? |
|
| The probability
of a serious allergic reaction following any
vaccine is extremely low if the person is
properly screened. ACIP has not issued a
recommendation that desensitization injections
and vaccines be separated by any specific time
period; consequently, we feel that you should
take the
opportunity to vaccinate. |
|
| When I was 5
years old, I had Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)
unrelated to vaccination. I am now 35 with no
residual effects of the GBS. I am a nurse
and my facility requires employees to receive
influenza vaccine. Is it safe for me to be
vaccinated? |
|
| Yes. A history of
GBS unrelated to influenza vaccine is not a
contraindication or precaution to influenza
vaccination. GBS within 6 weeks following a
previous dose of influenza vaccine is
considered a precaution for use of influenza vaccines. |
|
|
|
|
|
| What is the most up-to-date Influenza Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) for the 2022–23 influenza season? |
|
| Both the inactivated and recombinant influenza vaccine VIS and the live influenza vaccine VIS were updated on August 6, 2021. These VISs and translations in multiple languages are available here: www.immunize.org/vis/. |
|
| Which formulations of influenza vaccines are licensed for various age groups? |
|
| Immunize.org has a 1-page printable document that summarizes each of the products available for the current influenza vaccination season, including age indications, at www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4072.pdf. |
|
| Where can I find resources to help me plan mass vaccination clinics for influenza or COVID-19 vaccines? |
|
| Multiple resources are available on the CDC website at: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/admin/mass-clinic-activities/index.html and at Immunize.org's "Mass Vaccination Resources" website at: www.mass-vaccination-resources.org. |
|
| Is it
acceptable to draw up vaccine into syringes at
the beginning of the day? If it isn't, how
much in advance can this be done? |
|
| CDC discourages
the practice of prefilling vaccine into
syringes for several reasons, including: |
|
| • |
|
the increased possibility of
administration and dosing errors |
|
|
|
| • |
|
the increased
risk of inappropriate storage temperature |
|
|
|
| • |
|
the
probability of bacterial contamination |
|
|
|
| • |
|
the probability of reducing the vaccine's
potency over time |
|
|
| Prefilling
vaccine into syringes also violates basic
medication administration guidelines, which
state that an individual should administer
only those
medications he or she has prepared and drawn
up. |
|
| Although
pre-drawing vaccine is discouraged, a limited
amount of vaccine may be pre-drawn in a
mass-immunization clinic setting under the
following
conditions: |
|
| • |
|
Only a single type of vaccine (for
example, influenza) is administered at the
mass-immunization clinic setting |
|
|
|
| • |
|
Vaccine is
not drawn up in advance of its arrival at
the mass-vaccination clinic site |
|
|
|
| • |
|
These
pre-drawn syringes are stored at
temperatures appropriate for the vaccine
they hold |
|
|
|
| • |
|
No more than 1 vial or 10 doses (whichever
is greater) is drawn into syringes |
|
|
|
| • |
|
Clinic staff monitor patient flow
carefully and avoid drawing up unnecessary
doses or delaying administration of
pre-drawn doses |
|
|
| At the end of the
clinic day, all remaining vaccine in syringes
prefilled by staff should be discarded. |
|
| Can people who are currently infected with COVID-19 be vaccinated against influenza? |
|
| Vaccinating people against influenza who have recently tested positive for COVID-19 involves multiple considerations, such as whether vaccinating them could expose others to COVID-19, how sick they are, their risk for severe influenza illness, the ability to vaccinate at a later date, and the desire to avoid confusing postvaccination symptoms with those of COVID-19. Usually, people who are in isolation should not be brought to a vaccination setting if doing so could expose others to COVID-19. Any moderate or severe acute illness is a precaution to influenza vaccination: vaccination should generally be deferred until recovery. For people with mild or asymptomatic COVID-19, delaying vaccination might be considered to avoid confusing COVID-19 symptoms with postvaccination reactions. |
|
| CDC may continue to modify recommendations for vaccination of this population. |
|
| We have had three employees who have tested positive for influenza by nasal swab within 2 weeks of receiving an inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV4). Is there a time period after receiving IIV4 that a nasal swab can give a false positive result? |
|
| Inactivated influenza vaccines are not known to cause false positive nasal swab tests. The results may indicate real infections; however, false positive test results are possible with rapid tests, and these are more likely to occur if the tests are done when influenza prevalence in the area is low. For more information regarding interpretation of rapid influenza tests see www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/diagnosis/rapidlab.htm. |
|
| What is the preferred anatomic site for administration of inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV) and recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV)? |
|
| IIV should be administered in the anterolateral thigh muscle of an infant or young child. IIV and RIV (approved for people age 18 years and older) should be administered in the deltoid muscle of an older child, adolescent, or adult. The anterolateral thigh muscle can also be used for an older child, adolescent, or adult if necessary. It is critical that intramuscular influenza vaccine be injected into a muscle. Influenza vaccination season is an opportune time to review proper intramuscular injection techniques with your staff. Immunize.org has prepared a printable document on how to administer intramuscular vaccine injections (available at www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2020.pdf) that can be used as a staff training tool. |
|
| Some of our
patients believe that they have had reactions
to influenza vaccine in the past and request
the dose to be split into 2 doses administered
on
different days. Is this an acceptable
practice? |
|
| This is
definitely not an acceptable practice. Doses
of influenza vaccine (or any other vaccine)
should never be split into "half doses." If a
"half dose" is
administered, it should not be accepted as a
valid dose and should be repeated as soon as
possible with a full age-appropriate dose. |
|
| Should staff
at drive-through influenza vaccination clinics
encourage drivers to park and wait for 15 minutes after vaccination to make sure they
don't have
a syncopal (fainting) episode? |
|
| Yes. Syncope may
occur following any vaccination. It is prudent
for all people to be observed for syncope for
at least 15 minutes after any vaccination. |
|
| Sometimes I am
unable to get 10 doses of influenza vaccine
out of a 5.0 mL (10-dose) vial. Do you have
any suggestions? |
|
| Certain vaccine
syringes have small hubs where a volume of the
vaccine that is withdrawn from the vial
collects and is not available to be injected.
Syringes without a hub are available; their
use results in less vaccine wastage. |
|
| When removing
both pediatric (0.25 mL) and adult (0.5 mL)
doses from a multi-dose vial of Fluzone
Quadrivalent, we can get more than 10 doses
from
the 5.0 mL vial. Can we continue to remove
doses from the vial until it is empty? |
|
| No. Only the
number of doses indicated in the
manufacturer's package insert should be
withdrawn from the vial. For a 5.0 mL vial of
Fluzone Quadrivalent
this is 10 doses. For Afluria Quadrivalent 5.0
mL multi-dose vial, the package insert states
that the stopper can be punctured up to 20
times, allowing up to
20 doses of 0.25 mL dose for children age 6–35
months old. After the maximum number of doses
has been withdrawn or number of punctures of the
stopper has met the FDA-recommended limit, the
vial should be discarded, even if there is
vaccine remaining in the vial and the
expiration date has not
been reached. |
|
| We inadvertently administered a 0.5 mL dose of Afluria (Seqirus) to a 1-year-old child before realizing that the vaccine is only licensed for a 0.25 mL dose in children 6 months to 3 years. What should we do? |
|
|
The dose does not need to be repeated. However, this is a vaccine administration error. Clinicians should carefully select an influenza vaccine and vaccine dose that is licensed for the age group of the person being vaccinated. The error should be conveyed to the child's parent or guardian and also reported to Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) at www.vaers.hhs.gov. Actions should be taken to limit vaccine administration errors at the clinic where the error occurred. Immunize.org's educational piece "Influenza Vaccine Products for the 2022-23 Influenza Season" (available at www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4072.pdf) provides helpful information on the wide variety of influenza vaccines in use this season. |
|
| If the recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV4, Flublok Quadrivalent) was given inadvertently to a person younger than 18 years, can it be counted? Would there be any adverse side effects from this error? |
|
| Flublok Quadrivalent is not licensed for people younger than 18 years of age, so there are no data regarding safety and efficacy in this age group. However, no serious side effects would be expected. The dose does not need to be repeated. Even if no adverse reaction occurs, vaccine administration errors like this should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS) at www.vaers.hhs.gov. |
|
| A 3 year old patient received 0.25 mL of Fluzone Quadrivalent. Does this patient need to return for a repeat dose and when? |
|
| If the error is discovered on the same clinic day you can administer the other "half" of the Fluzone Quadrivalent dose. If the error is discovered the next day or later, the dose should not be counted. The child should be recalled to the office as soon as possible and given a full age-appropriate (0.5 mL) repeat dose of influenza vaccine. |
|
| A 1-year-old was inadvertently given a 0.25 mL dose of FluLaval Quadrivalent rather than the recommended 0.5 mL dose. What should we do? |
|
| If the error is discovered on the same clinic day you can administer the other "half" of the FluLaval Quadrivalent dose. If the error is discovered the next day or later, the dose should not be counted. The child should be recalled to the office as soon as possible and given a full age-appropriate repeat dose, either a 0.5 mL dose of FluLaval Quadrivalent, a 0.5 mL dose of Fluarix Quadrivalent, a 0.25 or 0.5 mL dose of Fluzone Quadrivalent, a 0.25 mL dose of Afluria Quadrivalent, or a 0.5 mL dose of Flucelvax Quadrivalent. |
|
|
|
|
|
| How should
influenza vaccines be stored? |
|
| All influenza
vaccines (inactivated, recombinant, and live
attenuated vaccines) should be stored at
refrigerator temperature of 2° through 8°C
(36° through
46°F). No influenza vaccine should be frozen.
Influenza vaccine exposed to freezing
temperature should not be used. |
|
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ACIP Recommendations
Vaccine Information Statements 
