Target population
Q. For whom are these vaccines recommended?
A. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations are recommended for persons aged 65 years and older and for persons of any age who have medical conditions that place them at high risk for complications from influenza.
Previously vaccinated residents
Q. What should organizations do if they are unsure if a resident has already received either influenza vaccine or PPV?
A. Recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) are to administer the vaccine(s) when a person is unsure as to whether they had received the vaccine(s) or not. Much of the concern about re-immunizing residents relates to concern about complications from re-immunizing residents. However, several studies have examined this issue and found little data to support any significant increase in complications for persons re-immunized with either the influenza or pneumococcal vaccines.
According to current CDC recommendations, providers “should not withhold vaccination in the absence of an immunization record or complete clinical record. The resident’s (or family’s) verbal history should be used to determine prior vaccination status. When indicated, the vaccine should be administered to residents who are uncertain about their vaccination history.” The CDC has found little data to support any significant increase in complications for patients who have been reimmunized.