Flu vaccine arrives; time to get a shot

The Tri-City area is receiving the initial shipments of this year’s flu vaccine.
This article presents some highlights of this year’s Centers for Disease Control statements and recommendations regarding the current flu vaccine.
The CDC recommends getting the flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available. Its protection lasts throughout the entire flu season.
As in past years, the flu vaccine is recommended for basically all persons 6 months and older unless they have had a reaction to a vaccine component.
The live attenuated intranasal flu vaccine is no longer preferred over the flu shot in children as in previous years.
Children with no previous history of receiving a flu vaccine should receive two flu shots or nasal spray four weeks apart the first year only.
The intranasal flu vaccine spray is approved in persons from 2 through 49 years of age without severe respiratory disease, including asthma and other contraindications.
The flu shot comes in two forms. One is “trivalent,” containing two flu A’s and one flu B killed viruses. The other is “quadrivalent,” containing two flu A’s and two flu B’s killed viruses. Either one is acceptable in any individual.
Children are usually more affected by the flu B virus. It would appear the quadrivalent vaccine with two flu B viruses would be the preferable vaccine for children. No studies have been done in children to prove its superiority over the trivalent vaccine containing only one flu B virus. Either type may be administered to children.
A high dose flu vaccine containing four times the amount of antigen as the standard vaccine has been approved for use in persons 65 years and older.
Last year in the New England Journal of Medicine, a study was published which, for the first time, showed significantly higher antibody response and better protection against the flu after the high-dose flu vaccine compared to the standard flu vaccine.
Most rates of pneumonia, cardiorespiratory conditions, hospitalizations, non-routine medical office visits, medication use and serious adverse events were all lower in the high dose flu vaccine group.
The CDC, as yet, has no recommendation regarding a preference of the regular flu vaccine or the high dose flu vaccine in persons 65 years and older.
The standard flu vaccines are produced in chicken eggs. The final product contains normal egg protein and is contraindicated in persons with serious egg allergies, such as anaphylaxis. An egg-free flu vaccine is approved for persons 18 years and older. The 49-year-old age limit on this vaccine has been removed.
Remember, the only way to prevent getting the flu is to get the flu vaccine.
Further information on the flu vaccine may be found at www.CDC./gov/flu or flu vaccines or your personal medical provider.