Vaccinations to Keep You Healthy this Fall

Vaccinations to Keep You Healthy this Fall

The CDC recommends everyone 6 months or older receive the updated flu and covid vaccine with few exceptions. This year, the influenza vaccine is different than it was last season. COVID-19 has become a major player alongside influenza, and you may be asking about a new virus strain.

Kohll’s RX carries all the vaccines.  Kohll’s Rx administers these vaccines at senior living facilities, corporation, at an individuals home, Assisted Living Facilities, Skilled Nursing Facilities and at a Kohll’s RX location.

Change From Quadrivalent to Trivalent Vaccines

In March 2024, the FDA recommended that flu virus strains be made with a trivalent vaccine composition for use in the upcoming 2024-2025 flu season; last season, a quadrivalent vaccine was used. These trivalent seasonal influenza vaccines include 2 influenza A viruses (H1N1) and 1 influenza B virus.

The trivalent formulation of egg-based influenza vaccines that Kohll’s will administer per FDA contain as follows:

  • an A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1)pdmo9–like virus
  • an A/Thailand/8/2022 (H3N2)–like virus
  • a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)–like virus

For the trivalent formulation of cell- or recombinant-based influenza vaccine, that Kohll’s will administer per FDA contains as follows2:

  • an A/Wisconsin/67/2022 (H1N1)pdm09–like virus;
  • an A/Massachusetts/18/2022 (H3N2)–like virus
  • a B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)–like virus

Why the change from the quadrivalent to trivalent for this season?  One of the strains that had been circulating—the B/Yamagata—has been dormant since 2020, since the strain has been dormant, the FDA decided to drop it. They’re going back to the trivalent [composition], which has historically always been the flu vaccine.

There is also a nasal spray flu vaccine option for those between age 2-49 years old Kohll’s will be carrying

How COVID-19 Affects Flu Season

COVID-19 has permanently changed the landscape of flu season. Today, preparing for this highly contagious period means getting vaccinated for both viruses. This year is going to be the first season where the COVID-19 vaccines are going to be available when the flu vaccine is available. Getting both vaccines at the same time is fine. Plus getting and other vaccines you’re due for like shingles, pneumonia, RSV, etc. at the same time is also fine.

Individuals who have had a solid organ transplant will need the higher dose of the vaccine (65 and over vaccine even if less than 65 years old).