ACIP Provisional Recommendations for the Use of Influenza Vaccines

ACIP Provisional Recommendations for the Use of Influenza Vaccines
Date of ACIP vote: February 24, 2010
Date of posting of provisional recommendations: March 2, 2010
Tentative date of publication of recommendations in CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: June 2010

On February 24, 2010, the ACIP voted on updated recommendations for use of trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine for the 2010-2011 influenza season.
Provisional recommendations for the prevention and control of seasonal influenza (2010-2011 influenza season):
Vaccination recommendations for adults were expanded to include all adults beginning in the 2010-11 influenza season. Therefore, all people age 6 months and older are now recommended to receive annual influenza vaccination.

Background information on influenza vaccines

• 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. Compared to the 2009-10 Northern Hemisphere influenza vaccine, the influenza A(H1N1) and A(H3N2) strains are changed. The A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like strain is the same strain that was included in the pandemic influenza A(H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccines.

• A higher dose formulation of an inactivated seasonal influenza vaccine (Fluzone High-Dose, manufactured by sanofi pasteur, licensed by FDA on December 23, 2009) for use in people age 65 years and older will be available in the 2010-11 influenza season.∗ Fluzone High-Dose contains four times the amount of influenza antigen compared to other inactivated seasonal influenza vaccines. Fluzone High-Dose vaccine in one study of people age 65 years and older produced higher antibody levels, but slightly higher frequency of local reactions. Studies are underway to assess the relative effectiveness of Fluzone High-Dose compared to standard dose inactivated influenza vaccine, but results from those studies will not be available before the 2010-11 influenza season. The ACIP has not expressed a preference for Fluzone High-Dose or any other licensed inactivated influenza vaccine for use in people age 65 and older.

• An additional inactivated vaccine (Agriflu, manufactured by Novartis, licensed by FDA on November 27, 2009) will be available in the 2010-11 influenza season.† Agriflu is licensed for use in people age 18 years and older.

• Age indications for two inactivated influenza vaccines have changed. Afluria, manufactured by CSL Vaccines, is now licensed for use in people age 6 months and older. Fluarix, manufactured by GSK Biologicals, is now licensed for use in people age 3 years and older.

∗ Fluzone High-Dose has been licensed by FDA, but will not be available until the 2010-11 influenza season.
† Agriflu has been licensed by FDA, but will not be available until the 2010-11 influenza season. This document can be found on the CDC website at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/provisional/downloads/flu-vac-mar-2010-508.pdf