Influenza

Q: When should influenza vaccine be given?
A: You can begin offering vaccine as soon as vaccine becomes available. Early vaccination of children younger than age 9 years who are first time vaccinees can be helpful in assuring routine second doses before the influenza season begins.

Q: If an unvaccinated patient who has just recovered from a diagnosed case of influenza comes into our clinic, should we vaccinate him?
A: Yes. Influenza vaccine contains three or four influenza vaccine virus strains; two A viruses and one or two B viruses, which are prepared based on circulating viruses from the previous influenza season. Infection from one virus type does not confer immunity to other types and it would not be unusual to have exposure to more than one type during a typical influenza season, so a person who has recently had influenza will benefit from receipt of a vaccine that contains additional influenza virus strains.

Q: When a child needs 2 doses of influenza vaccine, can I give 1 dose of each type (injectable and nasal spray)?
A: Yes. As long as a child is eligible to receive nasal spray vaccine (i.e., is 2 years of age or older and has no contraindications to the nasal spray vaccine), it is acceptable to give 1 dose of each type of influenza vaccine. The doses should be spaced at least 4 weeks apart.