The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics
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ISSUE
1531
October 9, 2017
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Influenza Vaccine for 2017-2018
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October 9, 2017 (Issue: 1531)
Revised 1/26/18: In Table 2, the recommended age for Fluarix Quadrivalent was changed to ≥6 months.
Superseded by The Medical Letter "Influenza Vaccine for 2020-2021" - Issue 1607, September 21, 2020

Routine annual vaccination against influenza A and B viruses is recommended for everyone ≥6 months old without a specific contraindication.1

EFFECTIVENESS — The effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccine in preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza illness depends on the match between the vaccine and circulating strains. Vaccine effectiveness is highest (40-60%) when the match is close, but even when the match is poor, vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death from influenza.2-4 For the 2016-2017 influenza season, the adjusted overall effectiveness of the seasonal influenza vaccine against influenza A and B viruses was 42%.5

COMPOSITION — All seasonal influenza vaccines available in the US contain the same two influenza A virus ... more      

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Title: Influenza Vaccine for 2017-2018
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