Vaccines and Preventable Diseases:
Seasonal Influenza (Flu) Vaccination
Pronounced (in-floo-EN-za)
The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year. There are two types of vaccines:
1. The "flu shot"— an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions. More...
2. The nasal-spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “live attenuated influenza vaccine” or FluMist®). LAIV (FluMist®) is approved for use in healthy* people 2-49 years of age† who are not pregnant. More...
The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on international surveillance and scientists' estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year.
See also H1N1 Flu Vaccination.
What You Should Know:
For Health Professionals:
What You Should Know
- Brief description
Symptoms, how flu spreads, questions and answers, etc. - Key Facts about Seasonal Influenza (Flu)
- About influenza and influenza vaccination
[58KB - 2 pages] (compliant)
Parents' Guide to Childhood Immunization, influenza section - Pictures of Influenza CDC's Public Health Image Library (PHIL)
- Info for Specific Groups
- Travelers' Health–Yellow Book: Influenza
- Kid-Friendly Sites
- Much more on the official CDC flu site
- Find
a flu clinic
American Lung Association's Flu Clinic Locator site.
If you cannot find a clinic, your healthcare provider, local health department, or local media may have more information. - 2009–10 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Updates: Questions & Answers
- How Well Does the Seasonal Flu Vaccine Work?
and other related Q&A's - Children, the Flu, and the Flu Vaccine
- Vaccine Information Statements (VIS)
- Lessening the Pain of Vaccines
Techniques worth trying from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Misconceptions about Seasonal Influenza and Influenza Vaccines
Q&As about flu shot, nasal spray, timing of vaccination, and "stomach flu" - Does the influenza vaccine contain thimerosal?
and other related Q&As on this topic - How effective is the nasal-spray flu vaccine (LAIV)?
and other related Q&As on this topic - Seasonal Flu and Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
As with all vaccines, there can be minor reactions, including pain and redness at the injection site, headache, fatigue or a vague feeling of discomfort.
- Side effects of flu vaccines
Excerpts from Vaccine Information Statements - Reporting a suspected vaccine adverse reaction
- Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness & Safety
- CDC's Vaccine Safety website
- Some people should talk with a doctor before getting influenza vaccine
- Pregnancy guidelines for LAIV and inactivated influenza vaccine
- Persons who should not be vaccinated
For Health Professionals
Clinical Information on Influenza
- Clinical Description & Lab Diagnosis
- Clinical Signs and Symptoms
- Influenza Vaccination: A Summary for Clinicians
- Ask the Experts
CDC experts answer your clinical questions (Immunization Action Coalition) - Infection Control in Health Care Facilities
- Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel
Vaccine Supply, Distribution and Storage
- Watch the recast of "Fundamentals of Seasonal and H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Administration, Storage, and Handling" NEW Nov 2009
- Vaccine Supply & Distribution
- Vaccine Storage & Handling
- Proper handling of TIV and LAIV vaccines
Coverage Levels, Safety and Composition
Recommendations for Influenza Vaccination
- 2009–10 Influenza Prevention & Control Recommendations
Information for the 2009–10 season including overview, vaccine composition, dosage & administration, and recommendations for specific populations - Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines—Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2009
MMWR, July 24, 2009 / 58(Early Release);1-52.
Published report updating ACIP recommendations regarding the use of influenza vaccine for the prevention and control of seasonal influenza - Updates in the 2009 ACIP Recommendations
Three principal changes/updates - Dosage Chart [128KB - 1 page]
- Package inserts
(AFLURIA, Agriflu, Fluarix, Fluvirin, Fluzone, FluLaval, Flumist, H5N1, and more package inserts...) NEW Feb 2010
Vaccine Administration
- Standing Orders
Immunization Action Coalition - Contraindications
- Vaccine Information Statements (VIS)
- ACIP - Vaccines for Children (VFC) Resolution
- Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)
References and Resources
- Related MMWR articles and related sites
- Pink Book's chapter on Influenza
[601KB - 22 pages] (compliant)
Epidemiology & Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases textbook - Surveillance manual's chapter on Influenza 4th edition, 2008
Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases textbook
Provider Education
- Provider
Education
Seasonal flu materials–free to download - Influenza training
- 2009 Clinical education slide set
[PPT - 259KB] Updated May 2009
from the 11th edition "Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases" course
Materials for Patients
- Flu Prevention Tips
- Patient & Provider
Education Materials
Materials free to download include brochures, posters, eCards, videos and podcasts. - Vaccine Information Statements (VIS)
- Find
a flu clinic
American Lung Association's Flu Clinic Locator site.
If you cannot find a clinic, your local health department or newspaper may have more information.
*"Healthy" indicates persons who do not have an underlying medical condition that predisposes them to influenza complications.
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Content last reviewed on September 17, 2009
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
