Technically Speaking: What’s New for Flu This Season?
Published on in Vaccine Update for Healthcare Providers
Published on in Vaccine Update for Healthcare Providers
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' (ACIP) 2018–19 influenza recommendations were published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on August 24, 2018.
Changes for the 2018–19 season include:
The full guidance document, as well as a four-page summary and extensive background information, are available on CDC’s Influenza ACIP Vaccine Recommendations webpage.
This season, three injectable inactivated influenza vaccines are available for children 6 through 35 months of age:
Clinicians need to be careful to avoid vaccine dosing errors with these vaccines. The dose for Fluzone® for children 6 through 35 months of age is 0.25 mL — half the dose recommended for people age 36 months and older. In contrast, the dose for FluLaval® and Fluarix® is 0.5 mL the same for people of all ages.
FluMist®, which is approved for healthy people age 2 through 49 years, also is the same dose for all ages.
For a list of all influenza vaccine products available in the United States this flu season, the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) provides a one-page table titled "Influenza Vaccine Products for the 2018–2019 Influenza Season."
To access package inserts for all currently available influenza vaccines, visit IAC’s Package Inserts webpage.
The Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) for IIV and LAIV for the 2018–19 season are unchanged from the 2017–18 season (dated August 7, 2015). The VISs for both IIV and LAV in English and many other languages are available on IAC’s VIS web section.
Updated standing order templates for influenza vaccine, screening checklists for contraindications and precautions, and many other helpful influenza-related educational materials and patient handouts are available from IAC in its Influenza Vaccine Handouts web section.
Contributed by: Deborah Wexler, MD
Categories: Vaccine Update September 2018, Technically Speaking
Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available. The Vaccine Education Center staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy.
You should not consider the information in this site to be specific, professional medical advice for your personal health or for your family's personal health. You should not use it to replace any relationship with a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications and other treatments, you should always consult your physician or, in serious cases, seek immediate assistance from emergency personnel.