May 15, 2013
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CDC issues interim recommendations for influenza vaccines

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Influenza vaccines are still recommended for everyone who is aged at least 6 months, according to recent Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

ACIP also recommends that immunization providers consult the FDA-approved prescribing information for vaccines for the most current information concerning indications, contraindications and precautions.

According to the CDC, an expanded report of ACIP recommendations for influenza vaccines will be published before the start of the 2013-2014 influenza season.

Some US vaccine abbreviations have been revised to refer to currently available vaccines. The abbreviation for trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) has been changed to inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV). In the upcoming influenza season, IIV classes will include: egg-based and cell culture-based trivalent inactivate influenza vaccine (IIV3) and egg-based quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV4). Recombinant hemagglutinin influenza vaccine (RIV) will be available as a trivalent formation (RIV3). Live-attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) will be available as a quadrivalent formulation (LAIV4).

Available influenza vaccines are listed on the CDC website and are current as of April 15. Any changes in availability or information will be explained in the updated ACIP influenza recommendations statement. Four new vaccines are expected to be available during the upcoming influenza season and are acceptable alternatives to others listed.

“For persons whom more than one type of vaccine is appropriate and available, ACIP does not express a preference for use of any particular product over another,” CDC researchers wrote.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.