The CDC made important changes to its flu vaccination recommendations for 2019-2020. Here is a quick review.
The ACIP of the CDC emphatically calls on primary care physicians and all vaccination providers to regularly discuss and promote the benefits of flu vaccination, particularly to patients at high risk for severe illness and complications.
Groups Recommended for Vaccination. For the 2019-2020 influenza season, the CDC and ACIP continue to recommend routine annual influenza vaccination for all persons aged ≥6 months who do not have contraindications to vaccination.
A complete list of at-risk groups is provided on the last 2 slides of this presentation.
Vaccine Composition Changes 2019-2020. All US-licensed influenza vaccines will have changes in the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and influenza A(H3N2) vaccine virus components vs the 2018-2019 season. Trivalent composition: A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B/Victoria. Quadrivalent composition: The 3 recommended viruses already mentioned, plus B/Yamagata virus.
The CDC provides a table showing all flu vaccines that are FDA-approved for use in the United States during the 2019-2020 season.
Choice of Vaccine. Clinicians may administer any licensed influenza vaccine as appropriate for the recipient's age and health status: Inactivated, recombinant, or live attenuated influenza vaccines.
FDA Vaccine Labeling Changes. Afluria now licensed for children age ≥6 months; those aged 6-35 mos should receive 0.25 mL for each dose. Change in dose volume for Fluzone: either 0.25 mL or 0.5 mL per dose with no ACIP preference for one over the other.
Dose Volume Differs for Quadrivalent Vaccines. For children aged 6-35 months, there are 4 quadrivalent vaccines. Be aware of the differences in dose volume.
ACIP Updates Guidance on Vaccination Timing. New in 2019-2020: ACIP provides additional information on vaccinating too early: “Vaccinating early--for example, in July or August--may lead to reduced protection against influenza later in the season, particularly among older adults.”
ACIP recommends that all vaccine providers continue to offer and encourage vaccination as long as the viruses are circulating and as long as unexpired vaccine is available. Routine health visits offer an ideal opportunity to recommend and administer.
New Antiviral Available. Baloxavir is an influenza single-dose antiviral drug approved for treatment of acute uncomplicated flu in people aged ≥12 yrs who have had flu symptoms <48 hrs.
ACIP Patient Groups for Priority Influenza Vaccination.
ACIP Patient Groups for Prority Influenza Vaccination. When vaccine supply is limited, vaccination efforts should focus on delivering vaccination to those groups most at risk for serious illness, such as young children, older adults, and people with chronic health problems.
ACIP Patient Groups for Prority Influenza Vaccination. People who live with or care for those at higher risk for influenza-related complications should also be a focus for vaccination when vaccine supply is limited.
For tips on how to make strong influenza vaccine recommendations and facilitate productive conversations with your patients, the CDC provides its HCP Fight Flu Toolkit.
As the 2019-2020 influenza season begins, primary care physicians and all vaccination providers should be aware of several changes to the annual recommendations published by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the CDC.Get a quick review with the slides below which summarize changes to influenza vaccine composition, licensing updates, and guidance on vaccination timing, along with important reminders of at-risk populations.
