What's New This Flu Season

Flu vaccines are already available at many retail pharmacy locations, though the flu season typically starts on October 1. Nevertheless, the first death from influenza was just reported a couple of days ago in Washington.

Some of the CDC’s updated recommendations for this year’s flu season include:

• Only flu shots are recommended. The nasal spray flu vaccine apparently wasn’t effective enough to recommend this year.
• There’s a greater probability that this year’s flu vaccines will protect against the circulating flu strains more effectively than previous years’.
• New flu vaccines are available this season.
• The flu vaccination recommendations for patients with egg allergies have changed.

Patients who have symptoms other than hives after exposure to eggs—such as angioedema, respiratory distress, lightheadedness, or recurrent emesis—or who have needed epinephrine or another emergency medical intervention can get any licensed flu vaccine that’s otherwise appropriate for their age and health, but the vaccine should be given in a medical setting and be supervised by a health care provider who’s able to recognize and manage severe allergic conditions. Those with egg allergies no longer have to wait 30 minutes after receiving their vaccine.