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. Vaccination 

is especially important for people 65 years and older because they are at high risk of developing 

serious complications from flu.

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 65 and Older Need a Flu Vaccine

People 65 years and older are at high risk of serious, flu-related 

complications because their immune systems become weaker with age. 

In addition, patients who have an underlying medical condition such 

as diabetes or heart disease have an additional factor putting them at 

greater risk of serious complications from influenza. 

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 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.

“You are older than 65 years and that puts you at high risk of being hospitalized or dying from flu. By 

getting vaccinated today, you’ll be protecting yourself and other people around you who may be more 

vulnerable to serious flu illness, like your grandchildren.”
CS HCVG-15-FLU-114 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 flurelated 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, 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 65 and older

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

-- inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV3 or 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; Contains the influenza A(H1N1), (H3N2) and two 

influenza B lineage viruses predicted to be most common

Adults 18 years and 

older

Trivalent and 

Quadrivalent Adjuvanted 

Inactivated Influenza 

Vaccine (aIIV3 and aIIV4) 

Injectable inactivated influenza vaccine containing MF59 adjuvant, 

designed to help promote a stronger immune response in older adults; 

Contains the influenza A(H1N1), (H3N2) and one or two influenza B 

viruses predicted to be most common

Adults 65 years and 

older

Quadrivalent High-Dose 

Inactivated Influenza 

Vaccine (HD-IIV4)

Injectable inactivated influenza vaccine containing MF59 adjuvant, 

designed to help promote a stronger immune response in older adults; 

Contains the influenza A(H1N1), (H3N2) and two influenza B viruses 

predicted to be most common

Adults 65 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