Health Advisory
Influenza Vaccine 2010-2011
To: Vaccines for Children Providers
From: Immunization Program Staff
Date:
August 10, 2010
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U.S. Pediatric Influenza Deaths in 2009-2010
Since August 30, 2009, CDC has received 276 reports of influenza-associated pediatric deaths that occurred during the current influenza season. These included 49 deaths in children younger than 2 years; 30 deaths in children 2 to 4 years old; 103 deaths in children 5 to 11 years old; and 94 deaths in children 12 to years old.
Of these deaths, 225 (82%) were due to 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infections, 50 were associated with an influenza A virus for which the subtype is undetermined, and one was associated with an influenza B virus infection.
In April 2010, CDC reported that 69 percent of the children who died from influenza had one or more medical conditions associated with an increased risk for influenza-related complications. For this reason, it is especially important for children with special health needs to be vaccinated.
Influenza caused by 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus is expected to continue to occur during future influenza seasons. Annual influenza vaccination is the most effective method for preventing influenza virus infection and its complications. Vaccination is now recommended for everyone age 6 months and older who does not have contraindications to the vaccine. Trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine can be used for anyone age 6 months and older, including people with high-risk conditions.
The 2010-2011 Seasonal Flu Vaccine
Each year, one or more virus strains in the seasonal influenza vaccine might be changed on the basis of global surveillance for influenza viruses and the emergence of new strains.
The 2010–2011 trivalent seasonal influenza vaccines will contain A/California/7/2009-like (2009 H1N1), A/Perth/16/2009-like (H3N2), and B/Brisbane/60/2008-like (B/Victoria lineage) viruses.
The A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like strain is the same strain that was included in the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccines. The H3N2-like antigen has been changed. The influenza B vaccine strain has not changed from the 2009-2010 northern hemisphere seasonal influenza vaccine.
Vaccine Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza
Information on the recommended seasonal influenza vaccines scheduling and dosing are available in the MMWR: Prevention and Control of Influenza with Vaccines; Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2010.
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr5908.pdf or http://cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5908a1.htm?s_cid=rr5908a1_w
- Routine influenza vaccination is now recommended for everyone age 6 months and older. Recommendations for adults were expanded to include ALL adults this coming flu season.
- As in previous recommendations, all children age 6 months through 8 years who receive a seasonal flu vaccine for the first time should receive two doses.
- Children who received only one dose of seasonal flu vaccine in the first flu season that they received vaccine should receive two doses, rather than one, in the following flu season.
- In addition, for the 2010-11 flu season, children age 6 months through 8 years who did not receive at least one dose of an influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine should receive two doses of a 2010-11 seasonal flu vaccine, regardless of previous flu vaccination history.
- Children age 6 months through 8 years for whom the previous 2009-10 seasonal or influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine history cannot be determined should receive two doses of a 2010-11 seasonal flu vaccine.
- The Vermont Department of Health will share additional information as it becomes available, including recommendations for children who have received only one dose of 2009 influenza A (H1N1) vaccine.
- Health care providers are encouraged to begin offering influenza vaccine to people of all ages as soon as it is available. Early vaccination of children younger than 9 years who are first-time vaccinees (or who failed to get their second dose in the preceding season) can be helpful in assuring there is adequate time to receive routine second doses before the flu season begins.
Supply of Vaccine
The Immunization Program will supply seasonal influenza vaccine for all children age 6 months through 18 years.
Pediatric seasonal influenza vaccine order forms must be faxed to the Immunization Program by August 13, 2010. If you have not received detailed ordering information, contact the Immunization Program at (802) 863-7638.