Table 2. Choice of influenza vaccine for selected age and risk groups (for persons without a contraindication to the vaccine).
| Recipient by age group | Vaccine types available for use1 | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Children 6 to 23 months of age | • TIV • QIV • Adjuvanted TIV |
Given the burden of influenza B disease, QIV should be used. If QIV is not available, either unadjuvanted or adjuvanted TIV should be used. |
| Children 2 to 17 years of age | • TIV • QIV • LAIV |
NACI recommends LAIV for healthy children and adolescents 2 to 17 years of age who do not have contraindications to this vaccine. LAIV is contraindicated for: children less than 24 months of age, due to increased risk of wheezing; individuals with severe asthma2; children and adolescents <18 years of age who are receiving aspirin or aspirin-containing therapy; pregnant women; and persons with immune compromising conditions, due to underlying disease, therapy, or both. LAIV, TIV or QIV can be used in children with chronic health conditions, including asthma that is not severe2 and cystic fibrosis without immune suppression. |
| Adults 18 to 59 years of age | • TIV • QIV • LAIV |
Any of these three vaccines may be used, unless contraindicated, for healthy adults in this age group. TIV and QIV are the preferred products for adults with chronic health conditions. LAIV is not recommended for adults with immune compromising conditions. |
| Adults 60 to 64 years of age | • TIV • QIV |
Either of these vaccines can be used, unless contraindicated, for adults in this age group. |
| Adults ≥65 years of age | • TIV • QIV • Adjuvanted TIV |
Any of these three vaccines may be used, unless contraindicated, for healthy adults in this age group. |
| Pregnant women | • TIV • QIV |
LAIV is not recommended because of the theoretical risk to the fetus from administering a live virus vaccine. |
1 TIV = trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (for intramuscular [IM] administration); QIV = quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine; LAIV = live attenuated influenza vaccine 2 An individual with severe asthma is defined as someone who is currently on oral or high dose inhaled glucocorticosteriods, is active wheezing, or has had medically attended wheezing in the seven days prior to vaccination.