You’ll play a key role in optimizing flu vaccines for 2023-2024.
All influenza vaccines will be quadrivalent again this season...with an updated A (H1N1) strain.
And the other main change is updated CDC guidance for vaccinating people with an egg allergy.
Patients with severe egg allergy can now get any flu vaccine in ANY setting. They’re no longer limited to a medical setting (office, etc).
This new CDC guidance now aligns with other organizations (Am Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, etc)...removing the extra safety measures.
Reassure that evidence shows patients with an egg allergy don’t have a higher reaction rate compared to those without an egg allergy.
Be aware, egg-free options (Flucelvax, Flublok) are still available.
Continue to follow your pharmacy immunization protocols.
Vaccinate now...ideally in September or October...and continue as long as flu is circulating.
Explain that people given last season’s flu vaccine were about 40% to 70% less likely to be hospitalized for influenza.
Continue to use ANY age-appropriate flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. Keep in mind, intranasal FluMist is only an option for healthy, NONpregnant patients ages 2 through 49.
For patients age 65 and up, give a higher-dose or adjuvanted vaccine...Fluzone High-Dose, Flublok, or Fluad. But if these aren’t available, use any age-appropriate vaccine...don’t wait.
If patients ask, don’t give a flu “booster”...regardless of when patients get this year’s vaccine.
Continue to help patients get other immunizations (COVID-19, pneumococcal, RSV, etc) at the same visit, if needed.
Try to use different arms, especially with vaccines that might cause local reactions...such as COVID-19 with Fluad or Fluzone High-Dose. If giving vaccines in the same arm, separate by at least 1 inch.
Advise that a combo flu/COVID-19 vaccine won’t be available this season...but studies are ongoing.
Use our resource, Flu Vaccines for 2023-24, to compare products...and find more guidance for kids, pregnant patients, and egg allergy.
- CDC. 2023-2024 CDC Flu Vaccination Recommendations Adopted. June 29, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/spotlights/2022-2023/flu-vaccination-recommendations-adopted.htm (Accessed August 3, 2023).
- CDC. Influenza Vaccination of Persons with Egg Allergy: Evidence to Recommendations Discussion and Work Group Considerations. June 21, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/meetings/downloads/slides-2023-06-21-23/02-influenza-grohskopf-508.pdf (Accessed August 3, 2023).
- CDC. Influenza Vaccine Safety Update and Proposed Recommendations for the 2023-24 Influenza Season. June 21, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/meetings/downloads/slides-2023-06-21-23/03-influenza-grohskopf-508.pdf (Accessed August 3, 2023).
- Greenhawt M, Turner PJ, Kelso JM. Administration of influenza vaccines to egg allergic recipients: A practice parameter update 2017. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2018 Jan;120(1):49-52.