CDC Influenza Vaccination Recommendations

According to the CDC, “influenza vaccines for 2012—13 will contain A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like, A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)-like, and B/Wisconsin/1/2010-like (Yamagata lineage) antigens.” The CDC recommends that children age six months through eight years “require 2 doses of influenza vaccine (administered a minimum of 4 weeks apart) during their first season of vaccination to optimize immune response.”

The CDC reminds clinicians and parents that “Children aged 6 months through 8 years require 2 doses of influenza vaccine (administered a minimum of 4 weeks apart) during their first season of vaccination to optimize immune response. In a study of children aged 5 through 8 years receiving trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) for the first time, the proportion of children with protective antibody responses was significantly higher after 2 doses compared with a single dose (6). Several studies have indicated that the time interval between two initial doses (from 4 weeks up to 1 year) of the same antigen might not be critical (7—9). However, because of the antigenic novelty of the 2009(H1N1) pandemic virus, which is anticipated to continue circulating during 2012—13, exposure history to this antigen also must be considered. Children who last received seasonal (trivalent) influenza vaccine before the 2010–11 season but did not receive a vaccine containing 2009(H1N1) antigen (either seasonal vaccine since July 2010 or monovalent 2009[H1N1] vaccine) will not have received this antigen. These children are recommended to receive 2 doses this season, even if 2 doses of seasonal influenza vaccine were received before the 2010–11 season.”

Other influenza vaccination recommendations from the CDC include:

All persons aged 6 months and older should be vaccinated annually.

Protection of persons at higher risk for influenza-related complications should continue to be a focus of vaccination efforts as providers and programs transition to routine vaccination of all persons aged 6 months and older.

When vaccine supply is limited, vaccination efforts should focus on delivering vaccination to persons who:

• Are aged 6 months - 4 years (59 months)
• Are aged 50 years and older
• Have chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, neurologic, hematologic, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus)
• Are immunosuppressed (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency virus)
• Are or will be pregnant during the influenza season
• Are aged 6 months - 18 years and receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who therefore might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection
• Are residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities
• Are American Indians/Alaska Natives
• Are morbidly obese (body-mass index is 40 or greater)
• Are health-care personnel
• Are household contacts and caregivers of children aged younger than 5 years and adults aged 50 years and older, with particular emphasis on vaccinating contacts of children aged younger than 6 months
• Are household contacts and caregivers of persons with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe complications from influenza