Annual vaccination in the US against influenza A and B viruses is recommended for everyone ≥6 months old without a contraindication. Influenza vaccines that are available in the US for the 2023-2024 season are listed in Table 2.

Annual vaccination in the US against influenza A and B viruses is recommended for everyone ≥6 months old without a contraindication. Influenza vaccines that are available in the US for the 2022-2023 season are listed in Table 2.

Annual vaccination against influenza A and B viruses is recommended for everyone ≥6 months old without a contraindication.1 Available influenza vaccines for the 2021-2022 season are listed in Table 2.

Annual vaccination against influenza A and B viruses is recommended for everyone ≥6 months old without a contraindication. Vaccination of all eligible persons can reduce the prevalence of influenza illness and symptoms that might be confused with those of COVID-19. Available vaccines and recommendations for specific patient populations for the 2020-2021 season are listed in Tables 2 and 3. Lower rates of influenza illness have been observed this season in the Southern Hemisphere, probably because of masking, social distancing, school closures, and travel restrictions.

Annual vaccination against influenza A and B viruses is recommended for everyone ≥6 months old without a contraindication. Available vaccines and recommendations for specific patient populations for the 2019-2020 season are listed in Tables 2 and 3.

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.

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).

A new trivalent influenza vaccine is available for the 1993-1994 influenza season. Vaccination may be even more important than usual this year because of the appearance late in last year's flu season of a new antigenic variant, which was associated with an increase in deaths (Morbid Mortal Weekly Rep, 42:385, May 28, 1993). Influenza vaccine is recommended especially for the elderly and high-risk patients, their household contacts, and health-care personnel who may come in contact with such patients (Morbid Mortal Weekly Rep, 42,RR-6, May 14, 1993).

A new trivalent influenza vaccine is now available for the 1992-1993 influenza season (Morbid Mortal Weekly Rep, 41, RR-9:1, May 15, 1992). Vaccination is recommended especially for elderly and high-risk patients, their household contacts, and health-care personnel who may come in contact with such patients. Antigens in the current vaccine are derived from A/Texas/36/91 (H1N1), A/Beijing/353/89 (H3N2), and B/Panama/45/90. The A/Texas/36/91 (H1N1) strain is new this year.

A new trivalent influenza vaccine is now available for the 1991-1992 influenza season (Morbid Mortal Weekly Rep, 40, RR-6:1, May 24, 1991). Vaccination is recommended especially for elderly and high-risk patients, their household contacts, and health-care personnel who may come in contact with such patients. Antigens in the current vaccine are derived from A/Taiwan/1/86 (H1N1), A/Beijing/353/89 (H3N2), and B/Panama/45/90 are new this year.

A new trivalent influenza vaccine is now available for the 1990-1991 influenza season (Morbid Mortal Weekly Rep, 39, RR7:1, May 11, 1990). Vaccination is recommended especially for elderly and high-risk patients, their household contacts, and health-care personnel who may come in contact with such patients. Antigens in the vaccine include A/Taiwan/1/86 (H1N1), A/Shanghai/16/89 (H3N2), and B/Yamagata/16/88 is new this year.

Six vaccines are recommended for routine use in adults living in the USA (Guide for Adult Immunization, 2nd ed, Philadelphia:American College of Physicians, 1990). Immunization recommendations for travel outside the USA were published in The Medical Letter, volume 32, page 33, April 6, 1990.

A new trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine is now available for the 1989-1990 influenza season (Morbid Mortal Weekly Rep, 38:297, May 5, 1989: Can Med Assoc J, 141:425, Spet 1, 1989). Antigens in this years's Vaccine are A/Taiwan/1/86 (H1N1), A/Shanghai/11/87 (H3N2), and B/Yamagata/16/88. The A/Shanghai and B/Yamagata are new strains this year. The vaccine is available in the USA as a split-virus (subvirion) or whole virus preparation from Squibb (Fluzone), as a split-virus preparation from parke-davis (Fluogen) and Wyeth-Ayerst (Influenza Virus Vaccine, Trivalent), and as a purified-surface-antigen formulations may be less likely to cause adverse reactions, especially in children; whole-virus vaccines may be slighltly more antigenic. Vaccine from previous years should not be used.

A new trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine is now available for the 1988-1989 influenza season (Morbid Mortal Weekly Rep, 37:357, June 17, 1988). Antigens in this year's vaccine are A/Taiwan/1/86 (H1N1), A/Sichuan/2/87 (H3N2), and B/Victoria/2/87. The A/Sichuan is a new strain that caused last year's large outbreak of the disease. The vaccine is available in the USA as a split-virus (Subvirion) or whole virus preparation from Squibb (Fluzone), and as a split-virus preparation from Parke-Davis (Fluogen) and Wyeth (Influenza Virus Vaccine, Trivalent). Split-virus vaccines may be slightly more antigenic. Vaccine from previous years should not be used.