We’re getting questions about flu vaccines for 2023-2024.
All influenza vaccines will be quadrivalent again this season...with an updated A (H1N1) strain.
And the other main change is updated CDC guidance for vaccinating people with an egg allergy.
Patients with severe egg allergy can now get a vaccine in ANY setting. They’re no longer limited to a medical setting.
This new CDC guidance now aligns with other organizations (Am Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, etc)...removing the extra safety measures.
Explain that evidence shows patients with an egg allergy don’t have a higher reaction rate compared to those without an egg allergy.
Expect your hospital to offer flu vaccines for inpatients from October to March to meet the quality measure...similar to previous years.
Continue to use ANY age-appropriate flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. Keep in mind, intranasal FluMist is only an option for healthy, NONpregnant patients ages 2 through 49.
For patients age 65 and up, use a higher-dose or adjuvanted vaccine...Fluzone High-Dose, Flublok, or Fluad.
But if these aren’t on formulary, use any age-appropriate flu vaccine...so that you don’t miss an opportunity to vaccinate.
Don’t give a flu “booster”...regardless of when patients get this year’s vaccine.
Be aware that a combo flu/COVID-19 vaccine won’t be available this season...but studies are ongoing.
Use our resource, Flu Vaccines for 2023-24, to compare products...and find more guidance for kids, pregnant patients, and egg allergy.
- Grohskopf LA, Blanton LH, Ferdinands JM, et al. Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2023–24 Influenza Season. MMWR Recomm Rep 2023;72(No. RR-2):1–25.
- CDC. Influenza Vaccination of Persons with Egg Allergy: Evidence to Recommendations Discussion and Work Group Considerations. June 21, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/meetings/downloads/slides-2023-06-21-23/02-influenza-grohskopf-508.pdf (Accessed August 3, 2023).
- CDC. Influenza Vaccine Safety Update and Proposed Recommendations for the 2023-24 Influenza Season. June 21, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/meetings/downloads/slides-2023-06-21-23/03-influenza-grohskopf-508.pdf (Accessed August 3, 2023).
- Greenhawt M, Turner PJ, Kelso JM. Administration of influenza vaccines to egg allergic recipients: A practice parameter update 2017. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2018 Jan;120(1):49-52.