The FDA has approved a new influenza vaccine, FluLaval (ID Biomedical), for patients aged 18 years or older. The manufacturer has projected that it will make a total of 115 million doses of this influenza vaccine for the 2006-2007 season, but these projections are subject to change. The most commonly reported side effects include pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site and headache, fatigue, and cough.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a recommendation advising physicians to lengthen the flu vaccination season this year. The CDC suggests that healthcare providers recommend vaccinations through December and even into January. (For more information on the CDC’s recommendations for the 2006-2007 flu season, see the July 2006 issue of IMWR, page 17, or check the July 2006 archives online at www.imwr.com).