Please see the message below from the Department of Health regarding FluMist and the Child Vaccine Program:
Immunization Partners,
This message is to inform you of a recently announced reduction in the availability of FluMist for the Childhood Vaccine Program, to provide additional information about the situation and to let you know what’s being done to address it.
Background:
Many of you have likely already heard that the ACIP voted that live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), should not be used during the 2016-2017 flu season. The ACIP also voted to remove FluMist from the Vaccines for Children Program. Data from 2013 through 2016 showed poor or relatively lower effectiveness of LAIV. Yearly flu vaccination is still recommended for everyone 6 months and older.
Key Messages:
• We expect there will be sufficient flu vaccine to meet the vaccination needs for children.
• CDC is working with all flu vaccine manufacturers to secure additional childhood flu vaccine to replace the FluMist vaccine. We’re working closely with CDC and the Washington Vaccine Association to make sure we have enough flu vaccine for Washington children.
• We expect we’ll have to use a number of flu vaccine presentations from various manufacturers to replace the FluMist. This means providers may have to use a variety of products this season.
We will work with LHJs and providers participating in the Childhood Vaccine Program to assure providers have enough flu vaccine to vaccinate the children seen in their practices. We will do our best to limit the vaccine types, brands and presentations any individual practice has to manage. We’ll do our best to make similar products available across large provider organizations.
We will know more in the next few weeks about the exact strategies and products we’ll use to manage this issue, and will reach out to LHJs and providers to get input on our approach. We’ll keep you informed as we learn more.
If you have questions, please use the following contacts:
· For vaccine choice and supply questions: wachildhoodvaccines@doh.wa.gov
· For clinical questions: immunenurses@doh.wa.gov