2020 Primary Changes and Updates in Recommendations

For 2020-21 season, vaccination providers may choose to administer any licensed, age appropriate influenza vaccine (IIV, RIV4, or LAIV4). Since the publication of the previous season’s guidance, two new influenza vaccines have been licensed. These include the licensure of Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent in November 2019 and of Fluad Quadrivalent in February 2020. Both of these influenza vaccines are expected to be available in the United States during the 2020–21 season. New licensures and changes to FDA-approved labeling might occur after publication of this report.
You can read the official recommendations from ACIP for the 2020-2021 flu season here. The ACIP continues to recommend annual flu vaccination with inactive influenza vaccine (IIV) or recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV) for everyone 6 months and older.

Children aged 6 months through 8 years who have previously received 2 or more doses of trivalent or quadrivalent influenza vaccine before July 1, 2020 require only 1 dose for 2020-21. Children in this age group who have not previously received ≥2 doses of trivalent or quadrivalent influenza vaccine before July 1, 2020, or whose influenza vaccination history is unknown, require 2 doses for the 2020-21 season. The interval between the 2 doses should be at least 4 weeks for optimal protection. For more information and an algorithm for dosing in this age group visit 2020-21 ACIP guidelines.

Persons with a history of egg allergy who have experienced only hives after exposure to egg and non-allergic persons should be watched for 15 minutes following vaccination to decrease the risk of injury due to syncope. Persons with severe egg allergy should be vaccinated under the supervision of a medical provider who is able to recognize and manage severe allergic conditions.

Timing of Influenza Campaigns

Health-care providers should begin offering vaccination soon after the vaccine becomes available, and if possible, by October.

• Timing of Vaccinations
  Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• CDC Guidelines for Large-scale Influenza Vaccination Clinic Planning
  Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2020–21 Influenza Season
  Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Flu Vaccine from ACPHD

Each year, we distribute flu vaccine to providers who agree to certain guidelines about to whom they will administer the vaccine and how and when to report usage. Visit our Flu Vaccine Distribution Program page for more information.