ADDITIONAL TIPS AND RESOURCES
In addition to the LAIV, RIV3, and ccIIV3 vaccines described here, 10 other vaccines are available: five egg-based IIV3 products in standard-dose form, one IIV3 vaccine for intradermal use, one high-dose IIV3 product for patients ages 65 or older, and three standard-dose IIV4 products. More details on each of these vaccines are available on the CDC website (www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr6207a1.htm?s_cid=rr6207a1_w#Tab1).
Regardless of which type of flu vaccine they receive, children ages 6 months through 8 years should receive two doses, at least four weeks apart, unless they received
• One dose during the 2013-2014 season, or
• Two or more doses of seasonal influenza vaccine since July 2010, or
• Two or more doses of seasonal influenza vaccine before July 2010 and at least one dose of monovalent H1N1 vaccine, or
• At least one dose of seasonal influenza vaccine prior to July 2010 and one or more after.
Vaccine effectiveness. The CDC estimated that vaccine effectiveness during the 2013-2014 flu season was 66%.3 While this degree of effectiveness is important for minimizing morbidity and mortality from influenza each year, it’s important to appreciate the limitations of the vaccine and not rely on it as the only preventive intervention.
Other forms of prevention. We need to advise and practice good respiratory hygiene, frequent hand washing, self-isolation when sick, effective infection control practices at health care facilities, targeted early treatment with antivirals, and targeted pre- and postexposure antiviral chemoprevention. Details on each of these interventions, including recommendations on the use of antiviral medications, can be found on the CDC website (www.cdc.gov/flu).
REFERENCES
1. Grohskopf LA, Olsen SJ, Sokolow LZ, et al; Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC. Prevention and control of seasonal influenza with vaccines: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)—United States 2014-2015 influenza season. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2014;63: 691-697.
2. Grohskopf L, Olsen S, Sokolow L. Effectiveness of live-attenuated vs inactivated influenza vaccines for healthy children. Presented at: Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices; February 26, 2014; Atlanta, GA. www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/meetings/downloads/slides-2014-02/05-Flu-Grohskopf.pdf. Accessed October 19, 2014.
3. Flannery B. Interim estimates of 2013-14 seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness. Presented at: Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices; February 26, 2014; Atlanta, GA. www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/meetings/downloads/slides-2014-02/04-Flu-Flannery.pdf. Accessed October 19, 2014.