Flu Vaccine Information and Ordering
Vaccine Supply Update
During the 2012-2013 Flu season, only one vaccine is available. This flu vaccine protects against three types of flu, including H1N1.
Vaccine Administration Recommendations
Principle recommendation changes for the 2012-2013 influenza season include:
- The recommendations for whilch children younger than age 9 need two doses of seasonal flu vaccine have changed. Click here to find out who needs two doses.
- As of the 2011-2012 influenza season, egg allergy has been changed from a contraindication to a precaution. Click here to find out more information.
- Annual vaccination is recommended for all people age 6 months and older, regardless of risk group.
- Vaccination should begin as soon as vaccine is available with special emphasis on people with conditions that put them at increased risk for complications from influenza. This is still true for the 2012-2013 season, regardless of when a person received a flu vaccine during the previous season.
Vaccine Products
The 2012-2013 trivalent vaccine strains are: A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like, A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)-like, and B/Wisconsin/1/2010-like (Yamagata lineage) antigens. For the 2012-2013 flu season, the following vaccine products exist:
- Agriflu manufactured by Novartis Vaccines, this vaccine is licensed for persons age 18 years and older. The vaccine has a limited distribution and comes in 0.5mL pre-filled syringes and does not contain thimerosal.
- Afluria manufactured by CSL Biotherapies, this vaccine is licensed for use in individuals age 5 years and older. However, due to increased frequency of febrile reactions in children ages 5-8 years, the CDC recommends that this vaccine only be administered to persons aged 9 years and older. If no other age-appropriate seasonal flu vaccine is available for a child aged 5-8 years who has an increased risk for complications from influenza, Afluria can be used; however, providers should discuss with parents or caregivers the benefits and risks of Afluria prior to administration. This vaccine comes in 10-dose vials and does contain thimerosal. This vaccine also comes in pre-filled syringes for use in persons age 18 years and older.
- Fluzone manufactured by Sanofi-Pasteur, this vaccine is approved for use in individuals age 6 months and older. The presentations include pre-filled syringes for use in pediatric patients age 6 to 35 months (free of thimerosal), a pre-filled syringe for use in persons age 36 months and older (also free of thimerosal) and a 10-dose vial for use in individuals age 36 months and older (contains thimerosal).
- Fluzone High-Dose manufactured by Sanofi-Pasteur, this vaccine is approved for use in people age 65 years and older. The vaccine comes in 0.5mL pre-filled syringes and does not contain thimerosal.
- Contains four times the amount of influenza antigen compared to other inactivated flu vaccines
- Produced higher antibody levels in at least one study; however, it is not known whether this vaccine will be more effective in protecting people over age 65 from getting sick.
- A slightly higher frequency of local reactions was reported during one study
- Because increased effectiveness is not known, neither ACIP or SFDPH is recommending the use of this vaccine over the traditional flu vaccine formulation
- Fluzone Intradermal manufactured by Sanfoi-Pasteur, this vaccine is approved for use in people ages 18-64 years old. This formulation was introduced during the 2011-2012 season and is administered intradermally via a single-dose, prefilled microinjection syringe. The preferred site for administration is over the deltoid muscle.
- Fluvirin manufactured by Novartis Vaccine, this vaccine is approved for use in individuals age 4 years and older. The vaccine comes in both prefilled syringes (contains trace amounts of thimerosal, okay for use in pregnant women) and a 10-dose vial (contains thimerosal).
- Fluarix manufactured by Glaxo Smith Kline, this vaccine is approved for use in individuals age 36 months and older. The vaccine comes in pre-filled syringes and does not contain thimerosal.
- Flulaval manufactured by ID Biomedical Corporation of Quebec (distributed by Glaxo Smith Kline), this vaccine is approved for use in individuals age 18 years and older. This vaccine comes in 10-dose vials and does contain thimerosal.
- FluMist manufactured by MedImmune, this vaccine is approved for use in healthy individuals age 2-49 years. This is an intranasal, live virus flu vaccine that does not contain thimerosal.
Rules and Regulations
Aerosol and Transmissible Diseases Standard
Effective September 1, 2010, the Aerosol and Transmissible Diseases Standard requires that vaccines including measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap), varicella, and influenza be offered to employees at no cost. If you are a health care worker, check with your institution to find out if you are eligible for these vaccines. If you are an institution and you would like more information about the ATD Standard, you can read it in detail by clicking here. If you have questions, please direct them to Cal/OSHA Consultation Service by calling 1-800-963-9424 or via email at InfoCons@dir.ca.gov .
SB 739 (Health and Safety Code Section 1288.7)
Effective July 1, 2007, SB 739 requires general acute care hospitals to:
- Annually offer onsite flu vaccinations to all employees at no cost
- Institute respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette protocols
- Revise/develop disaster plans to include pandemic influenza components
The Mercury Free Act of 2004 - AB 2943
Added Article 9 to Part 2, Chapter 3 of Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code (entitled Personal Health Care). Health and Safety Code Section 124172.
It is, subsequently, appropriate, to give only preservative-free Agriflu, Fluarix, Fluvirin, or Fluzone vaccine to pregnant women in California.
Seasonal Flu Vaccine Ordering Information
Providers should contact their regular distributors or the vaccine manufacturers. Providers who meet eligibility criteria (nonprofit providers who serve low-income, high-risk individuals) may qualify for free vaccine from our Influenza Vaccine Distribution program (see below).
Seasonal Flu Vaccine Distribution Program for Low Income Clients
Applications for our 2012-2013 Influenza Vaccine Distribution Program were due in late August. Questions about our flu program, including late application requests should be directed to (415) 554-2830.
Additional Resources
Please call the Communicable Disease Prevention Unit with any questions: (415) 554-2830