Influenza vaccine

Influenza vaccine: Recommended for all children, particularly those aged 6-59 months and other children at high risk.

• Previously unvaccinated children up to 9 years of age require 2 doses with an interval of at least 4 weeks. The second dose is not required if the child has received one or more doses of influenza vaccine during the previous immunization season. A quadrivalent vaccine should be used if available.
• For children between 6 and 23 months, the quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (QIV) should be used, and if not available, either unadjuvanted or adjuvanted trivalent inactivated vaccine (TIV).
• Children 2-18 years of age should be given QIV, or quadrivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) if not contraindicated. If a quadrivalent vaccine is not available, TIV should be used. Egg allergy is not a contraindication to vaccination with QIV, TIV, or LAIV.
• Immunization with TIV or QIV in the second or third trimester to provide protection for the pregnant woman and infant < 6 months of age.
• LAIV is contraindicated for children i) with immune compromising conditions, ii) with severe asthma (defined as current active wheezing or currently on oral or high-dose inhaled glucocorticosteroids, or medically attended wheezing within the previous 7 days), or iii) on aspirin.