Find answers to frequently asked questions regarding the 2014-2015 influenza vaccination recommendations.

1. Influenza Vaccinations
What You Need to Know
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2. When should you
get vaccinated?
The timing of flu
seasons can vary but
activity usually
begins to increase in
October.
Get your
vaccination now so
that your immune
system is fully
protected.

3. Who should get
vaccinated?
The CDC
recommends that
everyone aged 6
months and older
have a yearly flu
vaccine with rare
exceptions.
Your physician can
advise you on
whether the vaccine
is contraindicated
for you based on
your medical history.

4. Does it matter which
type of vaccination
method my child
receives?
For the 2014-2015
Influenza Season,
the intranasal
vaccine is the
preferred method
for healthy children
aged 2-8 years.
There are some
exceptions.

5. Which children should
receive the injectable
vaccine instead?
• Children aged 2-4 years who
have had asthma or wheezing
during the past 12 months;
• Children who have
immunosuppression;
• Children with a history of egg
allergy;
• Children who are receiving
aspirin therapy or are taking
medications that contain
aspirin; and
• Children who have taken
influenza antiviral
medications (for example,
Tamiflu® or Relenza®) within
the past 48 hours.

6. Is it correct that
my child may need
two doses?
In some cases, two doses are
indicated:
Children aged 6 months to 8
years who have never been
vaccinated against influenza,
will require two doses of
influenza vaccine,
administered at least 4 weeks
apart.
Children aged 6 months
through 8 years need only one
dose of vaccine in 2014-2015 if
they received one or more
doses of 2013-2014 seasonal
influenza vaccine.

7. What is the difference
between the trivalent
and quadrivalent
formulations?
Trivalent flu
vaccines are
formulated to
protect against
three flu viruses,
and quadrivalent
flu vaccines protect
against four flu
viruses.

8. Is one better
than the other?
The CDC has not
expressed a
preference between
trivalent and
quadrivalent vaccine.
Don't delay vaccination
if the quadrivalent
vaccine is not
available.

9. Are there different
vaccines for those 65
and older?
For people aged 65
years or older, two
flu injections are
available to choose
from: a regular-dose
flu vaccine
and a high-dose flu
vaccine.

10. Is the Fluzone® High-
Dose influenza
vaccine better?
It is approved specifically for
people aged 65 years or
older and contains four times
the amount of antigen
contained in regular flu
injections.
Clinical trials have indicated
that a higher dose of antigen
in the vaccine prompts a
better immune response in
older people.
At this time, the CDC has not
stated a preference for
either vaccine.

11. What other things can
I do to help prevent
the flu?
You can help prevent the
spread of the flu and
other respiratory
illnesses by:
• Covering your mouth
when you cough
• Frequently washing
your hands with soap
for at least 20 seconds
(that’s about the time
it takes to sing the
“Happy Birthday” song
twice).

12. Where can I find more
information on
Influenza?
The CDC has a
comprehensive
resources page.
Go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/fl
u/freeresources/index
.htm
Dr. Ernie wishes you
a flu-free season!