Q&A
Process for developing and distributing next year's flu shot
0:39:41
ยท
167 sec
Dr. Michelle Morse explains the process of developing and distributing the annual flu vaccine, including how the strains are selected and the timeline for vaccination campaigns.
- Flu shot composition changes yearly based on data from the Southern Hemisphere
- Information about circulating flu strains is still expected to be shared for vaccine development
- DOHMH typically starts flu vaccination information campaigns in September
- More people are now eligible for flu shots due to recent guideline changes
- Pharmaceutical companies manufacture vaccines based on recommendations from health authorities
Lynn Schulman
0:39:41
So walk me through how next year's flu shot will happen like we put together.
0:39:49
Can you do that for me?
Dr. Michelle Morse
0:39:51
I can, I'll start absolutely.
0:39:52
So the flu shot does change year to year.
Leroy Comrie
0:39:58
Yes.
Dr. Michelle Morse
0:39:58
And the way that the flu shot changes is the data from the Southern Hemisphere, so, you know, they're in summer while we're in winter, that data about circulating flu viruses is what informs the types of flu strains that are included in the annual flu vaccine that we take every fall here in the Northern Hemisphere.
0:40:22
And so my understanding is that information can still be shared and that the strains of flu that are are predominating in the Southern Hemisphere will still have that information to inform what types of strains of flu will be included in the fall flu vaccine campaign here in The United States.
0:40:43
However, as everyone knows, the flu shot is optional for most people.
0:40:49
We strongly encourage it.
0:40:51
It is in fact lifesaving, particularly for our elders and people who are vulnerable to complications from the flu.
0:40:59
So at some point this summer we'll start to get notifications from the CDC and other bodies about the availability of the new flu shot for this fall.
0:41:10
And come September or so, we usually start our flu vaccination information campaign and start to make the flu shot available.
0:41:20
And there are some changes in flu shot guidance that predate the current HHS secretary, including encouraging more and more people essentially be more and more people are eligible for the flu shot now.
0:41:35
So we expect to continue all of those activities here in New York City and expect to plan for a very active fall flu vaccine campaign.
Lynn Schulman
0:41:46
Okay.
0:41:47
I just I'm gonna get into the weeds for one question.
0:41:52
How are the pharmaceutical companies that make the flu vaccine tied into that or I'm just curious how that works.
Dr. Michelle Morse
0:42:00
Yeah, that's a great question.
0:42:01
So once it's kind of decided and the, you know, ACIP, which is the body that helps to make guidance about vaccines, once it's decided what should go in the fall flu vaccine, the pharmaceutical companies receive that guidance and then they manufacture manufacture the flu vaccine according to what is recommended based on the strains that are circulating.
0:42:23
And that is really standardized across all of the different pharmaceutical companies.