From the Guidelines
Yes, the patient should still get a flu shot now, as annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months and older, with the goal of providing optimal protection against influenza 1.
Key Points to Consider
- The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routine annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months of age and older 1.
- Vaccination should occur before the onset of influenza activity in the community, but it can still be beneficial even after flu season has started 1.
- Annual vaccination is necessary because post-vaccination antibody titers decline over the course of a year, and vaccine efficacy decreases over time 1.
- Getting vaccinated helps prevent flu illness, reduces the risk of hospitalization and death, and protects vulnerable populations through community immunity.
- Even if the patient had the flu recently, vaccination is still recommended as it protects against multiple strains that may circulate throughout the season.
Administration of the Flu Shot
- The standard flu vaccine is given as a single dose injection.
- Children 6 months through 8 years receiving their first-ever flu vaccination need two doses spaced four weeks apart.
- The flu shot takes about two weeks to provide protection as the body develops antibodies against the influenza viruses in the vaccine.
From the FDA Drug Label
Influenza Vaccines Instruct patients that oseltamivir phosphate for oral suspension is not a substitute for receiving an annual flu vaccination Patients should continue receiving an annual flu vaccination according to guidelines on immunization practices Because of the potential for oseltamivir phosphate for oral suspension to inhibit replication of live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) and possibly reduce efficacy of LAIV, avoid administration of LAIV within 2 weeks or 48 hours after oseltamivir phosphate for oral suspension administration, unless medically necessary [see Drug Interactions (7. 1)].
The patient still needs a flu shot. Oseltamivir phosphate for oral suspension is not a substitute for receiving an annual flu vaccination. Patients should continue receiving an annual flu vaccination according to guidelines on immunization practices 2.
From the Research
Influenza Vaccination Recommendations
The influenza vaccine is recommended for all people 6 months of age or older, including pregnant and postpartum women, unless the individual has a contraindication 3.
Benefits of Influenza Vaccination
- The vaccine can help prevent influenza-related hospitalizations, with a study showing that flu vaccination was associated with a lower odds for hospitalization (OR 0.84 CI 0.74-0.95) 4.
- Influenza vaccination can also reduce the severity of illness and the risk of secondary complications 5.
- The vaccine has been shown to be safe for patients with egg allergy, including those with severe egg allergy 6, 7.
Timing of Influenza Vaccination
- Vaccination should occur at the beginning of flu season, which typically begins in October 3.
- It takes approximately 14 days after vaccination for a healthy adult to reach peak antibody protection 3.
Special Considerations
- Patients with egg allergy can receive the influenza vaccine without special precautions, as studies have shown that they are no more likely to suffer an allergic reaction than those without egg allergy 6, 7.
- Oseltamivir, an antiviral medication, can be prescribed to patients with influenza-like symptoms to reduce the burden on the healthcare system, and has been shown to be effective in reducing the duration of symptomatic illness and hastening the return to normal levels of activity 4, 5.