Make a Strong Flu Vaccine Recommendation
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As a health care professional, your strong recommendation is a critical factor that affects whether your patients get an influenza vaccine. Most adults believe vaccines are important, but they need a reminder from you to get vaccinated. Follow up with each patient during subsequent appointments to ensure the patient received an influenza vaccine. If the patient still is unvaccinated, repeat the recommendation to try to identify and address any questions or concerns.
Making a Strong Flu Vaccine Recommendation (SHARE)
It is necessary for some patients to receive a strong recommendation from their provider. CDC suggests using the SHARE method to make a strong vaccine recommendation and provide important information to help patients make informed decisions about vaccinations:
SHARE the reasons why the influenza vaccine is right for the patient given his or her age, health status, lifestyle, occupation, or other risk factors.
HIGHLIGHT positive experiences with influenza vaccines (personal or in your practice), as appropriate, to reinforce the benefits and strengthen confidence in influenza vaccination.
ADDRESS patient questions and any concerns about the influenza vaccine, including side effects, safety, and vaccine effectiveness in plain and understandable language.
REMIND patients that influenza vaccines protect them and their loved ones from serious influenza illness and influenza-related complications.
EXPLAIN the potential costs of getting influenza, including serious health effects, time lost (such as missing work or family obligations), and financial costs.
Types of Vaccinations Available
The following flu vaccines are recommended for the 2018-19 flu season:*
Trivalent (3-STRAIN)
- Contains the three most common influenza strains predicted to be circulating
- Recommended for anyone 6 months & older
Recombinant
- Produced without the use of the influenza virus or chicken eggs
- Recommended for adults 18 years and older
Quadrivalent (4-STRAIN)
- Contains the three common influenza strains predicted to be circulating, plus an additional strain
- Recommended for anyone 6 months & older
Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV)
- Nasal spray contains four flu viruses: an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus and two influenza B viruses
- Recommended for non-pregnant individuals, 2 years through 49 years old
Featured Video
Carol Hayes, CNM, Describes How She Recommends Flu Vaccine
“How do you recommend flu vaccine to patients and why do you say it that way?” During this segment of the “#HowIRecommend vaccine” video series, Carol Hayes, CNM, describes her flu vaccine conversations with patients.
More information about available influenza vaccines and vaccine supply for the 2018-2019 season, visit Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Supply for the U.S. 2018-2019 Influenza Season.
Additional Resources
Make a Strong Flu Recommendation
Make a Strong Flu Vaccine Recommendation (For Ages 50-64)
Make a Strong Flu Vaccine Recommendation (For Ages 65+)
- Page last reviewed: November 30, 2018
- Page last updated: November 30, 2018
- Content source:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD)
- Page maintained by: Office of the Associate Director for Communication, Digital Media Branch, Division of Public Affairs