Make a Strong

Flu Vaccine Recommendation

Information for Health Care Professionals

CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an influenza (flu) vaccine every year.

Your Vaccine Recommendation is Critical 

As a health care professional (HCP), your strong recommendation is a critical factor in whether your patients get 

a flu vaccine. Research indicates that most adults are likely to get their flu vaccine if their doctor or health care 

professional recommends it to them. Most adults believe vaccines are important, but they need a reminder from 

you to get vaccinated.

Adults aged 50-64 Need a Flu Vaccine

Approximately 1/5 of the U.S. population is comprised of people 

between the ages of 50 and 64. Flu vaccination can offer important 

protection for this age group.

Many of these people are at high risk of developing serious flu 

complications. 

• About one-third of adults aged 50-64 have an underlying medical 

condition that puts them at higher risk for flu-related complications.

• Influenza vaccination prevents millions of illnesses and thousands 

of hospitalizations in adults aged 50-64. Increasing the number of 

adults in this age group who are vaccinated will further reduce the 

impact of influenza each year.

When to Vaccinate 

• CDC recommends that vaccination should be offered in September or October. However, vaccination 

should continue throughout flu season as long as flu viruses are circulating, even into January or later.

• If you do not offer vaccine at your facility, make a flu vaccine referral, and then follow up with each patient 

during subsequent appointments to ensure they got vaccinated. If the patient remains unvaccinated, repeat 

the recommendation/referral and try to identify and address any questions or concerns.

How to Make a Strong Flu Vaccine Recommendation 

Based on years of research into vaccine motivators, CDC has developed a mnemonic device to help HCPs 

make a strong vaccine recommendation. This method known as “SHARE” can help you to make a strong 

vaccine recommendation and provide important information to help patients make informed decisions 

about vaccinations. 

S- SHARE the reasons why the an influenza vaccine is right for the patient given his or her age, health status, 

lifestyle, occupation, or other risk factors. CDC recommends annual vaccination for everyone 6 months and older 

with any licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine with no preference expressed for one vaccine over another. 

“This vaccine can protect you and your family from getting sick from flu. By getting the vaccine today,

you’ll be protecting yourself and the people around you who may be more vulnerable to serious flu

illness, like your children and parents.”
CS HCVG-15-FLU-113 August 2020

H- HIGHLIGHT positive experiences with influenza vaccines (personal or in your practice), as appropriate, to 

reinforce the benefits and strengthen confidence in flu vaccination.

“The CDC recommends that everyone get a flu vaccine each year. I always get one myself so I don’t pass along flu to 

my patients and my family members.”

A- ADDRESS patients’ questions and any concerns about influenza vaccines, including for example, side effects, 

safety, and vaccine effectiveness in plain and understandable language.

“A flu vaccine cannot cause flu infection. The most common side effects of an influenza vaccine are mild, like redness, 

swelling, soreness, or low-grade fever for a flu shot. This should go away within a few days.”

R- REMIND patients that influenza vaccines protect them and their loves ones from serious flu illness and 

flu-related complications.

“Flu activity is going to start to pick up, and CDC says to expect more cases in the coming months. That is why I want 

to make sure I help protect you and your loved ones.”

E- EXPLAIN the potential costs of getting flu, including serious health effects and time lost (such as missing work or 

family obligations).

“It’s important to get vaccinated this season because flu vaccination can reduce potential flu illnesses, doctor visits, 

and missed work and school due to flu.”

Types of Vaccines Available for Adults 50-64 years

For the 2020-2021 flu season, providers may choose to administer any licensed, age-appropriate 

flu vaccine — inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV4) or recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV4):

Vaccine type Vaccine description Recommended for*

Quadrivalent 

(4-component) 

Inactivated Influenza 

Vaccine (IIV4)

Injectable inactivated vaccine containing the influenza A(H1N1), (H3N2) and 

two influenza B lineage viruses predicted to be most common

People 6 months and 

older

Quadrivalent Cell 

Culture-Based 

Inactivated Influenza 

Vaccine (ccIIV4)

Injectable inactivated influenza vaccine manufactured using cell culture 

rather than eggs, containing the influenza A(H1N1), (H3N2) and two influenza 

B lineage viruses predicted to be most common

People 4 years and 

older

Quadrivalent 

Recombinant influenza 

Vaccine (RIV4)

Injectable influenza vaccine produced without the use of influenza viruses or 

eggs; containing the influenza A(H1N1), (H3N2) and two influenza B lineage 

viruses predicted to be most common

Adults 18 years and 

older

*

Licensed ages vary for different brands; consult package insert for appropriate ages for specific vaccines

For more information, visit: www.cdc.gov/flu

or call 1-800-CDC-INFO