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For those > 65 years, quadrivalent high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine (HD-IIV4), quadrivalent recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV4), or quadrivalent adjuvanted inactivated influenza vaccine (aIIV4) are recommended whenever available. ACIP’s recommendation was based on a review of available studies which suggests that, in this age group, these vaccines are potentially more effective than standard dose unadjuvanted flu vaccines. No preference is expressed between any one of these three vaccines. If none of these three vaccines is available at an opportunity for vaccine administration, then any other age-appropriate influenza vaccine should be used.
Once again, this year, all vaccines will be quadrivalent. The influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B/Victoria components will be updated, while the influenza A (H1N1), and influenza B/Yamagata components will remain unchanged.
In addition, cell-cultured based quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (ccIIV4) has been approved down to > 6 months of age.
Unusually compared to historical influenza seasons, we have continued to identify substantial levels of influenza cases in Orange County into late June. County level influenza data is available at our OC Influenza Surveillance website. It appears that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact influenza epidemiology. The low levels of circulating influenza over the past two seasons raises the concern of decreasing population immunity and higher risks for a severe influenza season going into the fall. The Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA) encourages providers to order vaccine in anticipation of the coming season.
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