Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines

What is currently recommended?

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that all persons aged ≥6 months without contraindications receive annual vaccinations for protection against seasonal influenza. A number of different seasonal influenza vaccine formulations are available, some of which are licensed for specific age groups or are more appropriate than others for persons with certain medical conditions.

Why are the recommendations being modified now?

CDC and ACIP issue guidance on seasonal influenza vaccination annually. The current document contains updated recommendations made by ACIP in February and June 2014, to be effective for the 2014–15 season.

What are the new recommendations?

Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months and older, as has been recommended since the 2010–11 influenza season. This guidance contains some new information. Because the virus composition of the 2014–15 seasonal influenza vaccine is the same as it was for the 2013–14 season, children aged 6 months through 8 years need only 1 dose of vaccine in 2014–15 if they received ≥1 dose of 2013–14 seasonal influenza vaccine, regardless of previous vaccination history. Other information regarding determining whether 1 or 2 doses are needed is discussed in this report. There are also new recommendations regarding the use of live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) for healthy children aged 2 through 8 years. When immediately available, LAIV should be used for healthy children aged 2 years through 8 years who have no contraindications or precautions. However, inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) should be used if LAIV is not immediately available. Vaccination should not be delayed to get LAIV.