Routine annual vaccination against influenza A and B viruses is recommended for everyone ≥6 months old without a specific contraindication.

Annual vaccination against influenza A and B viruses is recommended for everyone ≥6 months old without a specific contraindication.

Annual vaccination against influenza A and B viruses is recommended for everyone ≥6 months old without a specific contraindication.

Annual vaccination against influenza A and B viruses has been shown to decrease influenza illness and its complications.

Vaccines recommended for adults residing in the US are reviewed here. Vaccines for travel have been reviewed separately.

Eight vaccines are currently recommended by the US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for routine use in adults at various ages...

Annual vaccination against influenza A and B viruses has been shown to decrease influenza illness and its complications. Several new vaccines are available for the current season.

Annual vaccination against influenza A and B viruses is the most effective method of preventing influenza and has been shown to decrease influenza illness and its complications. A new vaccine is available for the current season. Chemoprophylaxis and treatment of influenza was discussed in an earlier issue.

Vaccines recommended for routine use in US adults are reviewed here. Vaccines for travel have been reviewed separately.

Annual vaccination against influenza A and B viruses is the most effective method of preventing influenza and has been shown to decrease influenza illness and complications. For the current season, a new inactivated intradermal vaccine (Fluzone Intradermal) has been FDA-approved for use in adults 18-64 years old. An upcoming issue will review chemoprophylaxis and treatment of influenza.

Annual vaccination against influenza A and B viruses is the most effective method of preventing influenza. An upcoming issue of The Medical Letter will review drugs for chemoprophylaxis and treatment of influenza.

Two separate influenza vaccines will be available this season: the usual seasonal trivalent vaccine and a monovalent vaccine (not yet licensed by the FDA) directed at the novel H1N1 virus currently causing pandemic infection. The next issue of the Medical Letter will review the pandemic H1N1 vaccine.

Although immunization programs have produced high vaccination rates in US infants and children, similar successes have not been achieved in adults. Vaccines recommended for routine use in adults are reviewed here. Vaccines for travel are reviewed separately.

Annual immunization against influenza A and B is the most effective method of preventing infection and has been shown to reduce influenza complications. Changes this year include a vaccine with three new influenza antigens and expanded age criteria to include all children 6 months to 18 years of age. An upcoming issue of The Medical Letter will review drugs for prophylaxis and treatment of influenza.

Annual immunization against influenza A and B is the most effective method of preventing infection and has been shown to reduce associated complications.

Annual immunization against influenza A and B is the most effective method of preventing infection and has been shown to reduce associated complications.

Although immunization programs have produced high vaccination rates in US infants and children, similar successes have not been achieved in adults. Vaccines recommended for routine use in adults are reviewed here. Immunizations for travel were reviewed in a recent issue.

Annual immunization against influenza A and B is the most effective method of preventing infection and has been shown to reduce associated complications. A future issue of The Medical Letter will review drug prophylaxis and treatment of influenza.

Last year influenza season began in October, peaked in December (both much earlier than usual), and was associated with severe disease, particularly in children. Much of the illness was due to a circulating influenza A H3N2 strain (Fujian type) that had drifted antigenically from the H3N2 strain in the vaccine. The vaccine for the 2004-05 influenza season includes A/Wyoming/3/2003 (H3N2), which is antigenically equivalent to the Fujian strain, A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1), which is unchanged, and a new B strain, either B/Jiangsu/10/2003 or B/Jilin/20/2003, which are both antigenically equivalent to B/Shanghai/361/2002.

Unlike the last few years there is no early-season shortage of influenza vaccine. Immunization programs for all recommended individuals can proceed. There are 2 new influenza vaccine formulations available this year, FluMist, an intranasal vaccine and Fluzone, a pediatric formulation. Timing, indications, adverse effects, dosage and cost of the vaccines is discussed. The drugs that can be used for prophylaxis of influenza are also reviewed.

Influenza vaccine for the 2002-2003 season will include last year's A strains, A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1)-like and A/Moscow/10/99 (H3N2)-like, and a new B strain, B/Hong-Kong/330/01-like (MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2002; 51:503).

The centers for Disease Control and Prevention is anticipating a delay, but not a shortage, of influenza vaccine for the 2001-2002 season. Last year manufacturing problems led to a substantial delay in vaccine availability. This year's delay is being attributed, in part, to the dicontinuation of the Fluogen (King) brand of vaccine. The 2001-02 vaccine will include A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1)-like, A/Moscow/10/99 (H3N2)-like, and B/Sichuan/379/99-like antigens.

Production problems in some plants have delayed the availability of this year's influenza vaccine and may limit the total supply. These problems appear to be confined to the USA; no shortage is anticipated in Canada

A new trivalent influenza vaccine for intramuscular use is available for the 1999-2000 influenza season.

A new trivalent influenza vaccine for intramuscular use is available for the 1998-1999 influenza season (Morbid Mortal Weekly Rep, 47, RR-6, May 1, 1998). Last year's vaccine was less effective than usual because of the appearance of a new variant (A/Sydney/5/97) after selection of the vaccine antigens (Morbid Mortal Weekly Rep, 47:196, 1998). Antigens in the current vaccine are A/Beijing/262/95-like (H1N1); A/Sydney/5/97-like (H3N2), and B/Harbin/07/94, antigenically equivalent to B/Beijing/184/93. Both H1N1 and the H3N2 antigens are new this year. A highly publicized live attenuated influenza vaccine given by nasal spray (FluMist) has not yet been approved by the FDA and will not be available in the USA for use in the current influenza season (RB Belshe et al, N Engl J Med, 338:1405, 1998).

A new trivalent influenza vaccine for intramuscular use is available for the 1997-1998 influenza season (Morbid Mortal Weekly Rep, 46 RR-9, April 25, 1997). Antigens in the current vaccine are A/johannesburg/82/96, antigenically equivalent to A/Bayern/07/95 (H1N1); A/Nanchang/933/95, antigenically equivalent to A/Wuhan/359/95 (H3N2); and B/Harbin/07/94, antigenically equivalent to B/Beijing/184/93. Only the H1N1 antigen is new this year. A highly publicized nasal spray flu vaccine still has not been approved by the FDA and will not be available in the USA for use in the current influenza season.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is anticipating a delay, but not a shortage, of influenza vaccine for the 2001-2002 season. Last year manufacturing problems led to a substantial delay in vaccine availability. This years delay is being attributed, in part, to the discontinuation of the Fluogen (King) brand of vaccine. The 2001-02 vaccine will include A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1)-like, A/Moscow/10/99 (H3N2)-like, and B/Sichuan/379/99-like antigens (MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 50 RR-4:5, April 30, 2001).

A new trivalent influenza vaccine is available for the 1995-1996 influenza season. Influenza vaccine, made from inactivated virus grown in eggs, is recommended especially for elderly and high-risk patients, their household contacts and health-care personnel who may come in contact with such patients (Morbid Mortal Weekly Rep, 44, RR-3, April 21, 1995). Antigens in the current vaccine are derived from A/Texas/36/91/ (H1N1), A/Johannesburg and B/Harbin antigens are new this year.