by the Minnesota Department of Health
Even though this year’s respiratory season may not follow a typical pattern, we expect respiratory pathogens—including influenza, COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)—to circulate again. There are vaccines to protect against these diseases, including, for the first time, RSV immunization products for people at highest risk of severe disease.
A strong recommendation of vaccination by their family physician or primary care provider may improve a patient’s willingness to get vaccinated.
The following provides a summary of vaccines recommended to reduce respiratory illnesses this fall/winter season.
INFLUENZA VACCINE
Influenza vaccine is recommended annually for everyone ages six months and older.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) no longer considers egg allergy a contraindication for influenza vaccines (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 2023). People with egg allergy may receive any flu vaccine product that is otherwise age-appropriate and indicated for their health status.
ACIP recommends that, whenever available, clinicians provide seniors ages 65 years and older influenza vaccine products that have a higher likelihood of eliciting a protective response. These preferred products include the high-dose product Fluzone®, the adjuvanted product Fluad® and the cell-based product Flucelvax®.
Use the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) 2023-2024 Fall Flu Guide as a quick reference for providers who give influenza vaccine.
COVID-19 VACCINE
The 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone ages six months and older.
A new monovalent formula, 2023-2024 (XBB containing) COVID-19 vaccine, was recently recommended by ACIP and is available this fall. The previous bivalent vaccines are no longer recommended. Updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance is found on the Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States webpage.
A strong recommendation—especially to seniors, persons who are immunocompromised, pregnant women and children under age two—will help reduce the morbidity of COVID.
To stay current, refer to MDH’s Interim COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Guide and sign up for provider email updates by visiting the COVID-19 Vaccine Providers webpage.
RSV VACCINES
Two new RSV vaccine products for older adults are available. RSV vaccination is recommended for people 60 years of age and older using shared clinical decision-making. The decision may be informed by the patient’s risk of severe RSV disease; your clinical discretion; patient’s preference; and the characteristics of the vaccine, including duration of immunity and inflammatory neurologic events seen in both vaccine’s clinical trials but not yet attributable to the vaccine.
For more on RSV vaccination for older adults, refer to Healthcare Providers: RSV Vaccination for Adults 60 Years of Age and Over, the provider job aid for shared clinical decision-making for RSV vaccine for older adults and ACIP’s Adult RSV Vaccine Recommendations.
Nirsevimab is a new RSV monoclonal antibody product recommended for all infants and young children. The CDC recommends one dose for all infants younger than 8 months who are born during or entering their first RSV season. This product is given IM (intramuscular injection), allowing for a more feasible implementation than palivizumab, which is given monthly by intravenous injection. Certain children between 8 months and 19 months at persistent risk of severe RSV disease (i.e., children already recommended for palivizumab and American Indian/Alaska Native children) are recommended to get a dose in their second RSV season. Nirsevimab will be available through the Vaccines for Children program.
More information, specifically for Minnesota providers, will be communicated through MDH’s newsletter, Got Your Shots? News.
Clinical vaccine questions for MDH can be emailed to health.vaccineSME@state.mn.us.
AAFP RESOURCES: IMMUNIZATIONS AND VACCINES
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) provides online vaccination resources for members, including clinical guidance, immunization schedules, how to address vaccine concerns and misinformation, continuing medical education and more. View the AAFP’s Immunizations and Vaccines webpage.