It’s Flu Season – CDC update and guidance
September 19, 2016
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued new guidance for the 2016 flu season. This season’s vaccines have been updated to better match more recently circulating influenza viruses.
CDC recommends that everyone aged 6 months or older receive an influenza vaccine every year, by the end of October if possible. However, CDC continues to recommend that influenza vaccination efforts continue as long as influenza viruses are circulating in the community. Significant seasonal influenza virus activity can continue into May, so vaccination later in the season can still provide benefit during most seasons.
One big change for the 2016-2017 season is that only injectable influenza vaccines are recommended for use. Live attenuated influenza vaccine (also known as the nasal spray) is not recommended for use during 2016-2017 because of concerns about effectiveness.