December 2017

2017-2018 Flu Season Is Upon Us

As a health care provider, you are aware that influenza viruses characteristically circulate from late fall to early spring in the U.S. each year. It is important to remain up to date on vaccine information and notifications in order to provide your patients with the best care. Regarding the upcoming flu season, due to the low effectiveness against influenza H1N1 in the U.S. during the last two seasons, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices continues to recommend that LAIV4 should not be used for the 2017–2018 season.

Recommendations for the preparation of Northern Hemisphere influenza vaccines are made by the World Health Organization (WHO). Surveillance data is gathered, analyzed and candidate vaccine viruses are discussed. The WHO also predicts the Northern Hemisphere flu season based on the outcome of the Southern Hemisphere. Dr. Daniel Jernigan, influenza chief at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), told the Associated Press, "We don't know what's going to happen, but there's a chance [the United States] could have a season similar to Australia." Australia experienced a severe flu season, which ended August 31.

According to Dr. Jernigan, about 5 to 20 percent of the U.S. population contracts the flu each year. During the 2016 flu season, which was broadly characterized as moderate, more than 600,000 were hospitalized because of complications from the flu. Vanderbilt University School of Medicine professor, Dr. William Schaffner said, "Flu vaccination is our first and best line of defense to prevent flu." According to the CDC, children (over 6 months of age) and adults without contraindications should be vaccinated to increase prevention of the flu virus.