CDC director adopts preference for specific influenza vaccines for older adults

CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH, adopted the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation to preferentially recommend the use of specific influenza vaccines for adults aged 65 years and older, including higher-dose and adjuvanted influenza vaccines.

The preference applies to the Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent (Sanofi Pasteur), Flublok Quadrivalent (Sanofi), and Fluad Quadrivalent (Seqirus) influenza vaccines.

ACIP recently voted to preferentially recommend the use of higher-dose or adjuvanted influenza vaccines over standard-dose unadjuvanted influenza vaccines for older adults after a review of available studies indicated that, for this age group, these vaccines are potentially more effective than standard-dose unadjuvanted influenza vaccines.

Walensky’s adoption of the ACIP recommendation makes it official CDC policy, and it will be further detailed in a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Recommendation Report later this summer.