Flu Prevention

Top 3 Reasons to Get Your Flu Vaccine

1. Prevents influenza-related death.
   Each year, over 36,000 people in the U.S. die because of the flu—most are 65 or older. More people die from flu than from any other vaccine-preventable disease.
2. Prevents severe illness.
   In the U.S., influenza puts about 200,000 people in the hospital each year. Children younger than two years old are as likely to be hospitalized as adults who are 65 or older.
3. Protects other people.
   You should get vaccinated if you live with or care for others who are at high risk of complications from the flu. Getting a flu vaccination yourself can help protect your family members, including seniors and young children.

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Flu News

Update: National Vaccine Recovery Program for H1N1 Influenza Vaccines

The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to provide this updated information on the National Vaccine Recovery Program for H1N1 influenza vaccines. (Vaccine Recovery Program)

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Novel H1N1 Influenza: Where to Get the Latest Updates

The Bureau of Immunization provides links to information regarding the novel H1N1 influenza vaccine and recommendations for vaccination. (Novel H1N1 Influenza Vaccine)

Novel H1N1 influenza information specific to Florida is available at the Department of Health’s novel H1N1 influenza website at www.MyFluSafety.com.

For complete information on novel H1N1 influenza visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1 and www.flu.gov.

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Recommended Vaccine Strains for the 2010-2011 Trivalent Influenza Vaccine

April 16, 2010 -- The Bureau of Immunization would like to bring to your attention the following information presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations for the composition of the trivalent influenza vaccine for the 2010-2011 influenza season. This material is presented in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Weekly April 16, 2010 / 59(14);423-430.

The WHO has recommended vaccine strains for the 2010-2011 northern hemisphere trivalent influenza vaccine, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made the same recommendations for influenza vaccine composition for the U.S. Both agencies recommend vaccines contain A/California/7/2009-like (2009 H1N1), A/Perth/16/2009-like (H3N2), and B/Brisbane/60/2008-like (B/Victoria lineage) viruses.

Additional references:

• WHO: Recommended Viruses for Influenza Vaccines for Use in the 2010-2011 Northern Hemisphere Influenza Season
• FDA: Influenza Virus Vaccine for the 2010-2011 Season

Although national influenza activity has decreased substantially since peak activity in October 2009, the persistence of sustained transmission in some areas (resulting in additional cases, hospitalizations, and deaths) emphasizes the importance of a continued focus on vaccination of initial target groups as well as the rest of the susceptible population.

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IMPORTANT: Non-Safety Related Voluntary Recall of Specific Lots of Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine Live, Intranasal

December 23, 2009 -- The Bureau of Immunization is forwarding this important vaccine recall information to our immunization partners. Please read the following information and guidance carefully. (Medimune Recall)

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Updated: H1N1 Vaccine - Return Communication

December 22, 2009 -- The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to bring the following updated guidance document to the attention of our partners. (H1N1 Return Communication)

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IMPORTANT: Voluntary Recall of Sanofi Pasteur H1N1 Vaccine Lot Numbers

December 16, 2009 -- Sanofi Pasteur, Inc., has notified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that routine testing of its pediatric H1N1 2009 monovalent vaccine in 0.25 ml syringes in four identified lots have been identified with lower antigen content than the specification limit. (H1N1 Recall)

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National Influenza Vaccination Week

January 10-16, 2010

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced the week of January 10-16, 2010, as National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW). This event highlights the importance of continuing influenza vaccination, as well as fosters greater use of flu vaccine after the holiday season into January and beyond. This year's NIVW (originally scheduled for December 6-10, 2009) is now rescheduled for January 10-16, 2010. (NIVW)