Bulletin No. 12
August 27, 1976
National Influenza Immunization Program

1. LAST YEAR'S (1975-76) INFLUENZA VACCINE - DO NOT USE!

Some of last year's influenza vaccine may still be found in the refrigerators of some institutions, hospitals, and physician's offices. It should not be used because it contains only A/Scotland (350 CCA units), A/Port Chalmers (350 CCA units), and B/Hong Kong (500 CCA units) influenza antigens. It contains neither A/New Jersey (the swine influenza virus) nor A/Victoria, the two viruses which may cause influenza this coming year. Although the influenza B component in last year's vaccine is the same as that which is recommended this year by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the traditional high-risk groups, it will be available this year in a monovalent form.

All influenza A vaccines (bivalent with A/New Jersey and A/Victoria or monovalent with A/New Jersey) will be available only through the National Influenza Immunization Program (NIIP). These vaccines cannot be purchased from drug outlets or from the manufacturer. Influenza B vaccines will not be provided through the NIIP.

2. FURTHER CLARIFICATION OF INFLUENZA CONSENT STATEMENT REGARDING USE OF INFLUENZA VACCINE IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER IMMUNIZATIONS.

Febrile reactions may occur beginning with a day following administration of DTP (and other inactivated bacterial vaccines) and within 14 days following live measles or smallpox vaccines. Persons presenting for flu vaccination who have fevers from previously administered vaccines will be excluded from influenza vaccination until the fever has disappeared. To avoid possible coincidental reactions, influenza vaccines should not be given on the same day as DTP (or other inactivated bacterial vaccines), nor within 14 days after measles or smallpox vaccines. Other vaccines such as polio, rubella, mumps, and yellow fever are not usually associated with fever and their administration at any time does not preclude influenza vaccination.

Source: Director, Bureau of State Services, Center for Disease Control, "Director's Selected Notes on the NIIP to State Health Officers - July 30, 1976".

NOTES ON SWINE FLU

1. No influenza vaccine containing only A/Victoria will be available.

   All A/Victoria vaccine has been combined with swine flu vaccine to make a bivalent vaccine which will be used for the high risk groups.

2. At the present time, there are no recommendations for vaccination of individuals less than 18 years of age. Tests are underway to develop guidelines for this age group and will be available from CDC in mid-October.
3. National guidelines require a written informed consent form to be signed by all persons receiving influenza vaccine.

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