11. Influenza Vaccine
The influenza vaccine protects against seasonal flu. For most people, seasonal flu is nothing more than a nuisance, causing short-term illness. However, for some, flu can be severe and even life-threatening. Babies, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems are among those with a high risk of complications.17
Because the virus mutates quickly, annual vaccination is needed to avoid infection.
While most flu vaccines are given by injection, there is one that is delivered by nasal spray (FluMist) and another that can be administered with a jet injector (Afluria) for people aged 18 to 64. Three of the vaccines (Fluad Quadrivalent, Flublok Quadrivalent, and Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent) are specifically recommended for people ages 65 and older, who tend to have a less robust immune response to traditional flu vaccines.18
Annual flu vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. There are nine different flu vaccines approved for use in the United States.19
| Trade Name | Doses | Age | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afluria | 1-2 | 6 months and over | IM or jet injector *jet injector approved for ages 18-64 |
| Fluad | 1 | 65 years and over | IM |
| Fluarix | 1-2 | 6 months and over | IM |
| Flublok | 1 | 18 years and over | IM |
| Flucelvax | 1-2 | 6 months and over | IM |
| FluLaval | 1-2 | 6 months and over | IM |
| FluMist | 1-2 | 2 years to 49 years | Nasal spray |
| Fluzone | 1-2 | 6 months and over | IM |
| Fluzone High-Dose | 1 | 65 years and over | IM |
Children 6 months to 8 years who have never been vaccinated should get two doses of the flu vaccine, with each dose separated by at least four weeks. Everyone else needs only a single dose each year.19
12. Meningococcal Vaccine
Meningococcal vaccines protect against meningococcal disease, an illness caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitides. Infection with N. meningitides can lead to meningitis, bacteremia, and septicemia.20
Some meningococcal vaccines (called meningococcal conjugate vaccines) protect against common forms of the bacteria, namely serogroups A, C, W, and Y.20 Others protect against serogroup B bacteria, the most frequent cause of meningococcal disease in adolescents and young adults in the United States.21 One vaccine includes components of both types of vaccines and protects against serogroups A, B, C, W, and Y.
These are the meningococcal vaccines currently licensed for use:20
| Trade Name | Doses | Age | Route | Serogroups |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MedQuadfi | 1 | 2 years and over | IM | A, C, W, Y |
| Menveo | 2 | 2 months to 55 years | IM | A, C, W, Y |
| Trumenba | 2-3 | 10 years to 25 years | IM | B |
| Bexsero | 2 | 10 years to 25 years | IM | B |
| Penbraya | 2 | 10 years to 25 years | IM | A, B, C, W, Y |