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• Routine vaccination is now recommended for all persons aged 6 months and older. This is an expansion of the previous recommendation to include all adults aged 19-49 years. The reasons for this include some adults have influenza-related complications with no previously identified risk factors, some adults who do have medical conditions or age related increases in their risk for influenza complications do not know they should be immunized and the 2010-11 vaccine (as noted below) includes the pandemic strain of H1N1 and risk for influenza complications among adults aged 19-49 is greater than is seen for seasonal influenza.

 

 

• As in previous recommendations, all children aged 6 months- 8 years who receive a seasonal influenza vaccine for the first time should receive 2 doses. Children who received only 1 dose of vaccine in the first influenza season that they were given the vaccine should receive 2 doses, rather than 1, in the following influenza season. Children in this age group for whom previous influenza vaccine history cannot be determined should receive 2 doses. Children who did not receive at least 1 dose of the H1N1 vaccine in 2009-2010 should be given 2 doses of the 2010-2011 vaccine regardless of previous influenza vaccine history.

 

 

• The new 2010-2011 vaccines include the antigens derived from the 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus.

 

 

• Fluzone High Dose 65+ is a newly approved inactive influenza vaccine for persons aged 65 and older. It was developed to generate a more robust immune response to influenza in this age group. While there have not yet been clinical studies demonstrating a decrease in influenza disease, complications thereof, rates of hospitalization or death it is anticipated that a greater immune response may results in improvements in these areas. This vaccine will cost about 3 times the amount of conventional 2010-2011 influenza vaccine. It has similar to slightly increased rates of side effects. Availability may be spotty as the ACIP has granted permissive use of this vaccine and it may be year of 2 before it is in widespread use. Persons 65+ can still use the standard vaccine if desired.

 

 

• Vaccine supplies are expected to be adequate this year but many health care providers had to place orders for the 2010-2011 supply before these revised recommendations were published and with the expanded indications it is difficult to know if these supplies will be adequate.

 

 

• The CDC is recommending the health care providers start giving the vaccine once supplies are received as cases of influenza have recently been reported in the USA and an early season is anticipated.

 

Primary Care Associates will be offering influenza vaccine when supplies are received and our first offering of flu clinic dates and times are posted on our website under the "Clinic News" section.