By Atlantic Health Partners
Physicians are encouraged to converse with patients about their plans for receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine every fall. Staying informed about the facts and the latest updates surrounding the flu vaccine equips you to effectively answer any patient questions that come your way. Atlantic Health Partners offers an overview of key flu vaccine information to help physicians facilitate productive patient conversations, make vaccine recommendations, and improve vaccination rates.
Influenza Disease Burden
The flu is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. After a person is exposed and infected with the virus, it typically takes two days for symptoms, such as fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, and head and body aches, to set in. While many cases present mild symptoms, severe illness can lead to death, especially among vulnerable populations, including young children, older individuals, pregnant women, and individuals with underlying medical conditions. In fact, during the 2023-2024 flu season, more than 44,900 people are estimated to have died from flu complications.
The Power of Prevention
The CDC recommends that all eligible individuals older than six months receive the flu vaccine in September or October for maximum protection and to activate herd immunity before peak flu activity, which typically occurs from December to February. During the winter months, low humidity and an uptick in indoor activities enables the virus to spread more rapidly. Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent and protect against flu transmission and help alleviate the strain on already overwhelmed healthcare institutions. According to the CDC, recent studies show that flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness by 40% to 60%.
Understanding the 2024-2025 Flu Vaccine
Scientists examine trends in contemporary flu cases yearly to predict the strains that will most impact public health in the upcoming season. Since 2012, the FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) has recommended a quadrivalent vaccine, typically comprised of two type A flu strains (H1N1 and H3N2) and two type B flu strains (B/Victoria and B/Yamagata) to optimize vaccine efficacy. However, at this year’s annual committee meeting in March, the VRBPAC formally recommended that all vaccines for the 2024-2025 flu season be trivalent, composed of H1N1, H3N2, and B/Victoria. This shift is due to the global absence of the B/Yamagata strain since March 2020, suggesting its probable extinction. This recommendation was later confirmed by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
Protecting the Communities You Serve
Though all influenza vaccines for the U.S. for the 2024-2025 flu season are trivalent, it’s important to note that various types of flu vaccines are available. Physicians should speak with patients about the different options, including cell-based, recombinant, adjuvanted, egg-based, and intranasal vaccines, to create a flu plan supporting their needs.
By providing clear vaccine recommendations, health care providers can reinforce the importance of vaccination, guide patient decisions, and increase their likelihood of being vaccinated on time.