CDC updates 2017-2018 flu season vaccine recommendations

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week upated its 2017-2018 flu season vaccine recommendations.



Vaccine viruses included in the 2017–18 U.S. trivalent influenza vaccines will be an A/Michigan/45/2015 (H1N1)pdm09–like virus, an A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2)-like virus, and a B/Brisbane/60/2008–like virus (Victoria lineage). Quadrivalent influenza vaccines will contain these three viruses and an additional influenza B vaccine virus, a B/Phuket/3073/2013–like virus (Yamagata lineage).



The agency noted that pregnant women may receive any licensed, recommended, age-appropriate influenza vaccine at any time. "Because pregnant and postpartum women are at higher risk for severe illness and complications from influenza than women who are not pregnant, ACIP recommends that all women who are pregnant or who might be pregnant in the influenza season receive influenza vaccine," the CDC wrote. "Any licensed, recommended and age-appropriate influenza vaccine may be used. Influenza vaccine can be administered at any time during pregnancy, before and during the influenza season. ACIP recommends that LAIV4 not be used in any population for the 2017–18 season. Providers should note that, as a live virus vaccine, LAIV4 should not be used during pregnancy."



Afluria (IIV3; Seqirus, Parkville, Victoria, Australia) may be used for persons over the age of 5, consistent with Food and Drug Administration–approved labeling. And FluMist Quadrivalent (LAIV4; MedImmune, Gaithersburg, Maryland) should not be used during the 2017–18 season due to concerns about its effectiveness against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses in the United States during the 2013–14 and 2015–16 influenza seasons.