With flu activity in California expected to increase in the coming months, and the California Immunization Registry (CAIR2) data showing the pace of flu vaccination decreasing in October and November, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued recommendations and resources for health providers.
There is still time this season to benefit from getting an annual flu vaccine, and CDPH is reminding providers that they should:
· Strongly recommend influenza vaccination
· Avoid missing opportunities to immunize against influenza
· Increase efforts to immunize those at increased risk for severe influenza
· Offer co-administration of influenza and COVID-19 vaccine when patients present for either vaccine individually. Immunization against influenza will reduce stress on the health care system during the pandemic. Other routine vaccines may also be co-administered.