M&D Clinical Corner: Community Pharmacist’s Guide to Influenza Vaccination

The Clinical Corner is a monthly feature that highlights a variety of important pharmacist topics that is written by Morris & Dickson’s staff pharmacist, Paula Belle (RPh).

This month’s Clinical Corner will offer community pharmacists information about NIVW.

• General Updates for 2023
• 2023-2024 Influenza Vaccines
• Influenza Vaccination Timing
• Influenza Vaccinations Administered
• General Talking Points About NIVW
• NIVW Resources for Community Pharmacists

GENERAL UPDATES FOR 2023

• National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is being observed December 4-8, 2023. [1]
• Beginning with the 2023-2024 season, additional safety measures are no longer recommended for flu vaccination of people with an egg allergy beyond those recommended for receipt of any vaccine, regardless of the severity of previous reaction to egg. [2]
• People with egg allergy may get any vaccine (egg-based or non-egg-based) that is otherwise appropriate for their age and health status. [2]
• Vaccine manufacturers have projected that they will supply the United States with as many as 156.2 million to 170 million doses of influenza vaccines for the 2023-2024 season. These projections may change as the season progresses. [3]
• As of November 11, 2023, 148.95 million total doses of seasonal influenza vaccine have been distributed. [3]
• All flu vaccines for the 2023-2024 season are quadrivalent (four-component). [2]
• Most are thimerosal-free or thimerosal-reduced vaccines (91%), and about 21% of flu vaccines are egg-free. [2]
• All vaccines should be given in settings where allergic reactions can be recognized and treated quickly. [2]

2023-2024 INFLUENZA VACCINES

• For the 2023-2024 flu season, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided the following chart with vaccines and dosing information [4]:

• Routine annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged ≥6 months who do not have contraindications. [4]

INFLUENZA VACCINATION TIMING

• For most people who need only one dose for the season, September and October are generally good times to get vaccinated. However, vaccination should continue throughout the season as long as influenza viruses are circulating. [4]
• Providers may simultaneously administer COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines to eligible patients. [5]

INFLUENZA VACCINATIONS ADMINISTERED

• Vaccination coverage for all children (ages 6 months through 17 years) as of week ending October 28, 2023 is similar to the estimate at the same time in October 2022 (27.7% compared with 27.8%). [6]
• Vaccination coverage for pregnant persons 18 to 49 years through October 28,2023 was 17.8% and is comparable to the rate in 2022 for the same period (17.1%). [7]
• Flu vaccination coverage estimates among adults 18 and older based on CDC Data indicate coverage for this season is comparable (34.8%) with the same time last season.  [8]

• For adults 18 and older:
  • An estimated 25.1 million flu vaccinations were administered in pharmacies as of week ending October 28.2023 compared with an estimated 26.9 million at the same time in October 2022. [9]
  • An estimated 13.7 million flu vaccinations were administered in physician medical offices as of week ending October 28, 2023 compared with an estimated 17.5 million at October 29,2022. [9]

GENERAL TALKING POINTS ABOUT NIVW

• National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is an annual observance in December to remind everyone 6 months and older that there’s still time to get vaccinated against flu. [10]
• Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, including pregnant people and young children.[10]
• Millions of children get sick with flu every year, and thousands will be hospitalized as a result.  [10]
• Pregnant people also are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications. [10]
• Since flu viruses are constantly changing and protection from vaccination decreases over time, getting a flu vaccine every year is the best way to reduce risk from flu. [10]
• A ​flu vaccine is the only vaccine that protects against flu and has been shown to reduce the risk of flu illness, hospitalization, and death. [10]
• Pharmacists can use NIVW as a nationwide call to action to encourage everyone 6 months and older to get their annual flu vaccine, especially pregnant people, young children, and others at higher risk. [10]
• The more people vaccinated against flu, the more people are protected from flu. [10]

NIVW RESOURCES FOR COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS

• The CDC provides a NIVW Digital Media Toolkit at this link : NIVW DIGITAL MEDIA TOOLKIT
• Available media tools are available at these links :
  • TEMPLATE MATTE RELEASE This is an article to encourage flu vaccination ahead of the holiday season and throughout the winter on your  pharmacy website, blog or other channels.
  • SAMPLE NEWSLETTER BLURB This sample text copy is intended for inclusion in your pharmacy email newsletter or other communications to inform patients about NIVW and upcoming activities.
  • PATIENT REMINDER MESSAGES Share these messages through your patient portal or other reminder methods.
• The CDC provides flu resources that can be printed at: INFLUENZA PRINT RESOURCES
• One-page infographics that provide overviews of commonly challenging flu topics can be printed at: INFLUENZA TOPIC INFOGRAPHICS
• Graphics suitable for social media use are available at : INFLUENZA SOCIAL MEDIA GRAPHICS

GENERAL INFLUENZA VACCINATION RESOURCES FOR COMMUNITY PHARMACISTS

• The CDC maintains a Communication Resource Center dedicated to influenza. Available downloads include:
• Social Media Toolkits
  • Print Materials
  • Infographics
  • Animated Images
  • Buttons and Badges
  • Videos
  • Podcasts
  • Public Service Announcements (PSA)
  • Many Other Resources
• These resources can be accessed at: GENERAL INFLUENZA RESOURCES
• CDC’s seasonal flu vaccination campaign materials are available to assist partners in communicating about the importance of vaccination. This digital toolkit includes details on events/activities, sample social media and newsletter content, graphics, web assets, and media prep material.  In addition, sharable buttons and badges for website use are available for sharing. This material is downloadable, shareable, and some of the material is customizable.  Access the toolkit at this link: SEASONAL INFLUENZA VCAAINATION TOOLKIT

Sources

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Influenza Vaccination Week | CDC. 2023 2023-09-11T03:27:31Z [cited 2023 November]; Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/resource-center/nivw/.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Information for the 2023-2024 Flu Season | CDC. 2023 2023-10-24T04:40:48Z [cited 2023 November]; Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/season/faq-flu-season-2023-2024.htm.
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Supply & Distribution | CDC. 2023 2023-11-03T05:37:41Z [cited 2023 November]; Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/vaccine-supply-distribution.htm.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Summary of Recommendations. 2023 2023-08-30T10:03:54Z [cited 2023 November]; Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/acip/summary/summary-recommendations.htm#recommend.
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Clinical Guidance for COVID-19 Vaccination | CDC. 2023 2023-11-13T08:07:31Z [cited 2023 November]; Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/interim-considerations-us.html#timing-spacing-interchangeability.
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza Vaccination Coverage, Children 6 months through 17 years, United States | FluVaxView | Seasonal Influenza (Flu) | CDC. 2023 2023-11-08T03:20:06Z [cited 2023 November]; Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/dashboard/vaccination-coverage-race.html.
7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among Pregnant Persons, United States. 2023 2023-11-01T02:54:44Z [cited 2023 November]; Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/dashboard/vaccination-coverage-pregnant.html.
8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza Vaccination Coverage, Adults. 2023 2023-11-17T03:18:22Z [cited 2023 November]; Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/dashboard/vaccination-adult-coverage.html.
9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Influenza Vaccinations Administered in Pharmacies and Physician Medical Offices, Adults, United States | FluVaxView | Seasonal Influenza (Flu) | CDC. 2023 2023-11-16T06:19:43Z [cited 2023 November]; Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/dashboard/vaccination-administered.html.
10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2023 NIVW Digital Media Toolkit | CDC. 2023 2023-11-16T05:51:31Z [cited 2023 November]; Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/resource-center/nivw/activities.htm.