Influenza Vaccination Guidelines

Eligibility and Dosage

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that the second influenza vaccine dose should be administered at least 4 weeks after the first dose, for children 6 months through 8 years of age 1, 2, 3
Children 6 months through 8 years of age require two doses of influenza vaccine if they have received fewer than 2 total doses of any trivalent or quadrivalent influenza vaccine before July 1st of the current season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 4, 3
The American Academy of Pediatrics states that only one dose is needed for children 9 years and older, regardless of vaccination history 1, 5, 3

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children requiring 2 doses should receive their first dose as soon as vaccine becomes available to allow the second dose to be administered at least 4 weeks later, ideally by the end of October 4, 3
Both doses should be administered before the onset of influenza season when possible, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 6, 7

The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that young children who receive only 1 dose in their first vaccination season have lower antibody levels and are significantly less likely to have protective antibody titers compared to those receiving 2 doses 8
Proper two-dose vaccination in young children is critical for reducing morbidity and mortality, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics 1, 5

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends verifying previous influenza vaccination history before determining dose requirements 6, 7
If vaccination history is unknown or uncertain, administer 2 doses to children 6 months through 8 years of age, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 6, 7
Do not delay the second dose beyond 4 weeks unless medically necessary, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1, 2, 3