| Technically Speaking |
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| Monthly Column by Deborah Wexler, MD |
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| IAC Executive Director Dr. Deborah Wexler writes
Technically Speaking, a column featured in each issue of
Vaccine Update for Healthcare Professionals,
the monthly e-newsletter from the Vaccine Education Center
(VEC) at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Technically Speaking columns cover practical topics in
immunization delivery such as vaccine administration
techniques, storage and handling, contraindications and
precautions, and scheduling. |
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Subscribe to VEC's
Vaccine Update for Healthcare Professionals to stay up to date
on vaccine-related issues, including reviews of recently
published journal articles, media recaps, and announcements
about new resources and webinars. To subscribe, visit the
Vaccine Update Newsletter Sign-up Form |
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archive of past Technically Speaking columns is also available through links on the right side of this web page. |
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| TECHNICALLY SPEAKING |
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| Is It 0.25 mL or 0.5 mL? What Is the Correct Dose of Injectable Flu Vaccine for Children Younger Than 3? |
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| Published September 2020 |
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Determining the correct dosage of influenza vaccine for children 6
months to 3 years of age has become more challenging in recent
years. Until recently, only one injectable influenza vaccine was
licensed for children in this age group. Currently, four injectable
vaccines are approved for these young children, and their dosages
vary from product to product. Be sure you administer the correct
dose according to the vaccine brand(s) you have available in your
clinic.
Here's what you need to know:
- Afluria (Seqirus): For children age 6–35 months, give 0.25 mL.
For children age 3 years and older, give 0.5 mL.
- Fluarix and FluLaval (GSK): For children age 6 months and
older, give 0.5 mL.
- Fluzone (Sanofi): For children age 6–35 months, give either
0.25 mL or 0.5 mL. (Yes, you really can give either dosage.) For
children age 3 years and older, give 0.5 mL.
Additional flu vaccines for children:
- Flucelvax (Seqirus): Children must be age 4 years or older to
receive this vaccine. Give 0.5 mL.
- FluMist (AstraZeneca): Children must be age 2 years or older
to receive this nasal spray vaccine.
Helpful Resources from IAC
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| This page was updated on
September 23, 2020. |
| This page was reviewed on
September 23, 2020 |
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ACIP Recommendations
Vaccine Information Statements 
