A Review of Flu Vaccine Recommendations for the 2021 - 2022 Season (Pharmacy Technician Credit)

Program Description

The burden of influenza in the United States is considerable; it is associated with substantial morbidity, mortality, and health care expenditures. The burden of influenza is determined by several factors, including the characteristics of circulating viruses, timing of the season, how well the vaccine is working to protect against illness, and how many people were vaccinated. As in recent seasons, various inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV4), a recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV4), and a live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV4) are available for 2021–2022 season. All influenza vaccines for the 2021–2022 season are quadrivalent. According to the 2021 Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations, all persons aged ≥6 months who do not have contraindications should be vaccinated annually. The guidance concerning timing of vaccination has been revised in the new ACIP recommendations. The ACIP recommendations also highlight approaches for patients with COVID-19. Pharmacists play a critical role in protecting patients against seasonal influenza and influenza-related complications by advocating for and administering influenza vaccines and complying with CDC’s influenza antiviral recommendations. Pharmacists can screen for high-risk patients and help identify patients through incoming referrals and prescriptions for whom influenza vaccination is especially important, particularly patients at high risk for developing influenza-related complications.

Target audience: Pharmacy technicians

Type of activity: Knowledge
Release date: February 25, 2022
Expiration date: February 25, 2023

Time to complete activity: 1.0 hour
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Recognize risk factors for patients at highest risk of influenza-related complications
• Recall the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) vaccination recommendations for the 2021–2022 influenza season
• Articulate characteristics and composition of the available and recommended influenza vaccines for the 2021–2022 season

Detail how pharmacy technicians can assist the pharmacist in providing education, administering, and ensuring patient access to the influenza vaccine