ACIP flu season recommendations include new trivalent vaccine configuration

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has updated its recommendations for the 2015-2016 influenza season, which include a new configuration for this season's trivalent vaccine.

Updated information includes the antigenic composition of U.S. seasonal influenza vaccines; information on vaccine products expected to be available; and recommendations for the use of live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) and inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) when either is available. The recommendations were published Aug. 7 in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

For the coming season, U.S.-licensed trivalent influenza vaccines will contain hemagglutinin derived from an H1N1-like virus, an H3N2-like virus, and a Yamagata lineage-like virus, representing changes from last season in the influenza A (H3N2) virus and the influenza B virus. Quadrivalent vaccines will contain these viruses and a Victoria lineage-like virus, the same recommended for quadrivalent formulations for the past 2 seasons.

ACIP now expresses no preference between LAIV and IIV in anybody ages 2 through 49 for whom either vaccine is appropriate. Last season's recommendations included a preference for LAIV in healthy children ages 2 through 8 years, and ACIP has removed that recommendation. LAIV should not be used pregnant or immunocompromised patients or those who have an egg allergy or who have experienced severe allergic reactions to the vaccine.

ACIP continues to recommend that all persons age 6 months or older receive influenza vaccine annually and that influenza vaccination should not be delayed to procure a specific vaccine preparation if an appropriate one is already available.