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Bureau of Immunization: Immunizations Across the Lifespan
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Flu Prevention

Top 3 Reasons to Get Your Flu Vaccine

  1. Prevents influenza-related death.
    Each year, over 36,000 people in the U.S. die because of the flu—most are 65 or older. More people die from flu than from any other vaccine-preventable disease.
  2. Prevents severe illness.
    In the U.S., influenza puts about 200,000 people in the hospital each year. Children younger than two years old are as likely to be hospitalized as adults who are 65 or older.
  3. Protects other people.
    You should get vaccinated if you live with or care for others who are at high risk of complications from the flu. Getting a flu vaccination yourself can help protect your family members, including seniors and young children.

Flu News

2010-2011 Influenza Vaccine Update

August 20, 2010 -- The Bureau of Immunization is forwarding the following update regarding projections for the 2010-2011 influenza vaccine supply and labeling of latex-containing syringe tip caps. 

Distribution and Supply:

As we approach the 2010-2011 flu season, we want to provide the most up-to-date information available on the anticipated supply of flu vaccine. After following up with each of the manufacturers last week, the overall projected estimate for production capacity this season is approximately 160 to165 million doses. This is somewhat lower than the range first presented at the National Influenza Vaccine Summit in May. The difference is due to changes in the availability of CSL’s Afluria products (the 0.25 mL syringe and the 5.0 mL MDV will not be available this season), as well as lower yields of certain products as the production process proceeded over the summer months. This projected total represents more doses of seasonal influenza vaccine than has ever been available in the U.S. in a single given flu season.

In terms of distribution timing, the most recent manufacturer projections indicate they are beginning distribution of most products in August, with the majority of vaccine to be distributed by the end of October, and some distribution continuing into November and beyond. Please note, these distribution estimates reflect the timing of manufacturer shipping, but do not incorporate the time for distributors in the distribution chain to complete filling their orders. Thus, receipt of doses by public and private providers and institutions is expected to continue during November and beyond. 

Labeling of Latex-Containing Syringe Tip Caps

You may be aware of a recent issue regarding discrepancies in labeling regarding latex statements of some vaccine products in prefilled syringes. These labeling changes were not prompted by adverse event reports, however, the tip caps of the prefilled syringes of certain vaccines (including both flu and non-flu vaccines) may contain natural rubber latex that may cause allergic reactions in latex-sensitive individuals. Impacted vaccines include:

Each of the affected manufacturers is working closely with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure the prescribing information, package labeling, and provider communications provide important information about the latex content of the affected vaccines. Some of the labeling and packaging changes the manufacturers are undertaking may impact timing of distribution for individual products, and providers are advised to get specific information on the products they have ordered from the distributor or manufacturer with whom they placed the order. In the event we learn of manufacturer labeling efforts impacting timing of product delivery, we will share that information with you.

Private providers will receive this information in their vaccine shipments directly from the manufacturers. However, vaccines distributed through the Vaccine For Children (VFC) Program will not include this information. Therefore, please feel free to use the above flyers from each of the affected manufacturers to communicate with your providers this important information regarding the possibility of latex in tip caps of prefilled syringes. 

Vaccine Shipments

Finally, to assist providers in finding flu vaccine available for purchase, the National Influenza Vaccine Summit supports the Influenza Vaccine Availability Tracking System (IVATS), which provides information about vaccine manufacturers and distributors with vaccine available for purchase. IVATS can be found at: http://www.preventinfluenza.org/ivats/. The information in IVATS is updated throughout the influenza vaccination season.

2010 Seasonal Influenza Interim Vaccine Information Statements

August 11, 2010 -- The Bureau of Immunization wishes to announce the availability of the 2010 Interim Influenza Vaccine Information Statements (VIS).

VIS are information sheets produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that explain to vaccine recipients, their parents, or their legal representatives both the benefits and risks of a vaccine. Federal law requires that VIS be handed out when (before each dose) certain vaccinations are given. Print-ready files can be found on the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/default.htm#flu. These new VIS have been integrated into the Florida State Health Online Tracking System (Florida SHOTS™), so registry users can access them electronically. Healthcare providers should periodically access the VIS electronically and print out a supply for routine distribution. If necessary, bureau staff can FAX copies to providers without internet access.

Prevention and Control of Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2010

August 9, 2010 -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published Prevention and Control of Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2010 on August 6, 2010. The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to call your attention to this important information. The summary of this document is reprinted below in its entirety, and the full document can be accessed at www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5908a1.htm?s_cid=rr5908a1_w.

This report updates the 2009 recommendations by the ACIP regarding the use of influenza vaccine for the prevention and control of influenza (CDC. Prevention and control of influenza: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices [ACIP]. MMWR 2009;58[No. RR-8] and CDC. Use of influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine---recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices [ACIP], 2009. MMWR 2009;58:[No. RR-10]). The 2010 influenza recommendations include new and updated information. Highlights of the 2010 recommendations include:

  1. A recommendation that annual vaccination be administered to all persons 6 months of age and older for the 2010-2011 influenza season.
  2. A recommendation that children 6 months through 8 years of age whose vaccination status is unknown or who have never received seasonal influenza vaccine before (or who received seasonal vaccine for the first time in 2009-2010 but received only 1 dose in their first year of vaccination) as well as children who did not receive at least 1 dose of an influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine regardless of previous influenza vaccine history should receive 2 doses of a 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine (minimum interval: 4 weeks) during the 2010-2011 season.
  3. A recommendation that vaccines containing the 2010-2011 trivalent vaccine virus strains A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like (the same strain as was used for 2009 H1N1 monovalent vaccines), A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like, and B/Brisbane/60/2008-like antigens be used.
  4. Information about Fluzone® High-Dose, a newly approved vaccine for persons 65 years of age and older.
  5. Information about other standard-dose newly approved influenza vaccines and previously approved vaccines with expanded age indications.

Vaccination efforts should begin as soon as the 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine is available and continue through the influenza season. These recommendations also include a summary of safety data for U.S.-licensed influenza vaccines. These recommendations and other information are available at the CDC's influenza website at www.cdc.gov/flu; any updates or supplements that might be required during the 2010-201 influenza season also will be available at this website. Recommendations for influenza diagnosis and antiviral use will be published before the start of the 2010-2011 influenza season. Vaccination and healthcare providers should be alert to announcements of recommendation updates and should check the CDC influenza website periodically for additional information.

Primary changes and updates in the 2010-2011 recommendations include:

  • Routine influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons 6 months of age and older. This represents an expansion of the previous recommendations for annual vaccination of all adults 19 through 49 years.
  • For the 2010-2011 influenza season, children 6 months through 8 years of age who did not receive at least 1 dose of an influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine should receive 2 doses of a 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine, regardless of previous influenza vaccination history. Children 6 months through 8 years of age for whom the previous 2009-2010 seasonal or influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine history cannot be determined should receive 2 doses of a 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine.
  • The 2010-2011 trivalent vaccines will contain A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like, A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like, and B/Brisbane/60/2008-like antigens. The influenza A (H1N1) vaccine virus is derived from a 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus.
  • A newly approved inactivated trivalent vaccine (TIV) containing 60 mcg of hemagglutinin antigen per influenza vaccine virus strain (Fluzone® High-Dose [Sanofi Pasteur]) is an alternative inactivated vaccine for persons 65 years of age and older. Persons 65 years of age and older can be administered any of the standard-dose TIV preparations or Fluzone® High-Dose. Persons younger than 65 years who receive inactivated influenza vaccine should be administered a standard-dose TIV preparation.
  • Previously approved inactivated influenza vaccines that were approved for expanded age indications in 2009 include Fluarix® (GlaxoSmithKline), which is now approved for use in persons 3 years of age and older, and Afluria® (CSL Biotherapies), which is now approved for use in persons 6 months of age and older. A new inactivated influenza vaccine, Agriflu® (Novartis), has been approved for persons 18 years of age and older.

The bureau developed two reference documents to assist providers in determining the appropriate doses of seasonal influenza vaccine required for all persons 6 months of age and older. The document titled Recommended Vaccine Doses for the 2010-2011 Influenza Season includes all ages. A second document specific to children 6 months through 8 years of age titled 2010-2011 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Doses Recommended for Children provides a decision tree to assist with determining the appropriate doses for these age groups. These documents are also available on the bureau website at www.immunizeflorida.com/publications/flyers.htm#flu.

Educational Opportunity

Sanofi Pasteur is presenting two web-based audio conferences on the Fluzone® High-Dose vaccine on August 10th and 11th. View the flyer for contact information.

The bureau makes every attempt to provide all vaccine-preventable immunization training programs, without endorsement, for those interested in immunizations.

The Bureau of Immunization anticipates the publication of the 2010-2011 Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) in the upcoming weeks and will provide timely updates as they become available in addition to any educational programs that will help providers implement plans for the prevention of influenza disease.

Update: National Vaccine Recovery Program for H1N1 Influenza Vaccines

The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to provide this updated information on the National Vaccine Recovery Program for H1N1 influenza vaccines. (Vaccine Recovery Program)

Novel H1N1 Influenza: Where to Get the Latest Updates

UPDATE H1N1 Swine Flu - www.MyFluSafety.com - 1-877-352-3581The Bureau of Immunization provides links to information regarding the novel H1N1 influenza vaccine and recommendations for vaccination. (Novel H1N1 Influenza Vaccine)

Novel H1N1 influenza information specific to Florida is available at the Department of Health’s novel H1N1 influenza website at www.MyFluSafety.com.

For complete information on novel H1N1 influenza visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1 and www.flu.gov.

Recommended Vaccine Strains for the 2010-2011 Trivalent Influenza Vaccine

April 16, 2010 -- The Bureau of Immunization would like to bring to your attention the following information presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations for the composition of the trivalent influenza vaccine for the 2010-2011 influenza season. This material is presented in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Weekly April 16, 2010 / 59(14);423-430.

The WHO has recommended vaccine strains for the 2010-2011 northern hemisphere trivalent influenza vaccine, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made the same recommendations for influenza vaccine composition for the U.S. Both agencies recommend vaccines contain A/California/7/2009-like (2009 H1N1), A/Perth/16/2009-like (H3N2), and B/Brisbane/60/2008-like (B/Victoria lineage) viruses.

Additional references:

Although national influenza activity has decreased substantially since peak activity in October 2009, the persistence of sustained transmission in some areas (resulting in additional cases, hospitalizations, and deaths) emphasizes the importance of a continued focus on vaccination of initial target groups as well as the rest of the susceptible population.

IMPORTANT: Non-Safety Related Voluntary Recall of Specific Lots of Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine Live, Intranasal

December 23, 2009 -- The Bureau of Immunization is forwarding this important vaccine recall information to our immunization partners. Please read the following information and guidance carefully. (Medimune Recall)

Updated: H1N1 Vaccine - Return Communication

December 22, 2009 -- The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to bring the following updated guidance document to the attention of our partners. (H1N1 Return Communication)

IMPORTANT: Voluntary Recall of Sanofi Pasteur H1N1 Vaccine Lot Numbers

December 16, 2009 -- Sanofi Pasteur, Inc., has notified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that routine testing of its pediatric H1N1 2009 monovalent vaccine in 0.25 ml syringes in four identified lots have been identified with lower antigen content than the specification limit. (H1N1 Recall)

National Influenza Vaccination Week

January 10-16, 2010

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced the week of January 10-16, 2010, as National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW). This event highlights the importance of continuing influenza vaccination, as well as fosters greater use of flu vaccine after the holiday season into January and beyond. This year's NIVW (originally scheduled for December 6-10, 2009) is now rescheduled for January 10-16, 2010. (NIVW)