2021-2022 Flu Vaccination Recommendations
The 2021–22 influenza season is expected to coincide with continued circulation of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. To reduce prevalence of illness caused by influenza, vaccination of person aged 6 months or older with flu vaccine, may reduce symptoms that might be confused with those of COVID-19.
Prevention of and reduction in the severity of influenza illness and reduction of outpatient visits, hospitalizations, and intensive care unit admissions through influenza vaccination also could alleviate stress on the U.S. health care system.
Groups Recommended for Vaccination
Routine annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged ≥6 months who do not have contraindications.
Timing of Vaccination
Vaccine should be ideally administered by the end of October, but should continue to be offered as long as influenza viruses are circulating locally and unexpired vaccine is available.
- Some children aged 6 months through 8 years require 2 doses of influenza vaccine. These children should receive their first dose as soon as possible after vaccine becomes available, and the second dose ≥4 weeks later.
- Children needing 1 dose can be vaccinated soon after vaccine becomes available.
- Vaccination soon after vaccine is available may also be considered for pregnant persons in their third trimester.
- For non-pregnant adults, vaccination in July and August should be avoided, even if vaccine is available during these months, unless there is concern that later vaccination might not be possible.
Coadministration
COVID-19 vaccines may now be administered without regard to timing of other vaccines, including seasonal influenza vaccines.
- Administer routinely recommended vaccines to children, adolescents, and adults (including pregnant people).
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If multiple vaccines are administered at a single visit, administer each injection in a different injection site. For adolescents and adults, the deltoid muscle is the preferred site and can be used for more than one intramuscular injection administered in separate injection sites by 1-inch or more.
Vaccination of Persons with COVID-19
- Persons in isolation for COVID-19 or in quarantine for known or suspected exposures should defer vaccination until the person has recovered from the acute illness and they have met criteria to discontinue isolation..
Further Reading
Guidance for Interpretation and Follow up of At-Home COVID-19 Testing
At-home testing kits advise patients to contact their health care provider if they have questions about testing and to report the results of their tests (both positive and negative). This document provides guidance on how to advise patients on their positive, negative, as well as error, canceled or invalid results.
COVID-19 Viral Testing Tool
This interactive web-based tool is designed to help both health care providers and individuals understand COVID-19 testing options.
Resumed Use of bamlanivimab + etesevimab Authorized in Michigan
The use of bamlanivimab + etesevimab may resume in Michigan based on recent changes to the Emergency Use Authorization which allows use in states, territories, and U.S. jurisdictions in which recent data shows the combined frequency of variants resistant to bamlanivimab + etesevimab administered together is less than or equal to 5%. Additional information regarding this announcement can be found here.
What providers need to know:
- All three currently available monoclonal antibody treatments, including bamlanivimab + etesevimab, are active against the Delta variant which is currently seen in Michigan.
- Bamlanivimab + etesevimab is not authorized for administration by subcutaneous route, or for post-exposure prophylaxis.
- Supplies of bamlanivimab + etesevimab may be used immediately, provided they have been properly stored.
Visit Michigan.gov/COVIDTherapy for up-to-date information about monoclonal antibody therapies.
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