The 2023-2024 flu season is in full swing. Here are the latest updates from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with some information on flu vaccine injury claims from vaccine injury lawyer Leah V. Durant:
Updated 2023-2024 Flu Vaccine Recommendations
Each year, the CDC, World Health Organization (WHO) and other health authorities choose the composition of the flu vaccines based on the strains of influenza that they expect to be most prevalent during flu season. For the 2023-2024 flu season, they made one update from last year:
Egg-Based Flu Vaccines
- A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus; (updated from the 2022-2023 flu season)
- A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus;
- B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus
- B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus
Cell- or Recombinant-Based Flu Vaccines
- A/Wisconsin/67/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus; (updated from the 2022-2023 flu season)
- A/Darwin/6/2021 (H3N2)-like virus;
- B/Austria/1359417/2021 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus
- B/Phuket/3073/2013 (B/Yamagata lineage)-like virus
For the 2023-2024 flu season, all flu vaccines are quadrivalent, meaning that they have been composed to protect against all four of the strains listed above. The CDC estimates that about 20 percent of the total flu vaccine supply will be egg-free.
But, while the CDC previously recommended that individuals with egg allergies avoid egg-based flu vaccines, this is no longer the case. As the CDC explains, “[b]eginning with the 2023-2024 season, additional safety measures are no longer recommended for flu vaccination of people with an egg allergy beyond those recommended for receipt of any vaccine, regardless of the severity of previous reaction to egg.”
The CDC Recommends Flu Vaccination in 2024
Even though we are already well into the 2023-2024 flu season, the CDC still recommends vaccination for individuals who have not yet been immunized. In a January 22, 2024 update, the CDC advised that seasonal flu activity is “elevated across the country,” and that, “[s]ince the fall, emergency department visits have been increasingly driven by flu.”
As the CDC goes on to state, “[w]hile some recent data suggest flu may have peaked, CDC is watching closely for a second wave of flu activity, which happens during many seasons.” The CDC also notes that this season’s flu vaccines are “well-matched to the viruses that are most common and should offer good protection from severe illness.”
Options for Getting the Flu Shot During the 2023-2024 Flu Season
For those who haven’t yet received a flu shot for the 2023-2024 season, there are several options for getting vaccinated. As the CDC notes, most health insurance plans cover annual flu shots without a deductible, and many healthcare providers, pharmacies, non-profits and community organizations provide no-cost or low-cost flu shots for individuals who aren’t insured. If you aren’t sure where to go to get a flu shot, you can use the CDC’s VaccineFinder.
Importantly, even when a flu shot is advertised as being free to the public, the CDC warns that you may be charged an office visit fee or other similar fee for “ancillary” services. When you call to schedule an appointment for a flu shot, you should be able to learn about any fees that will be charged.
Identifying and Getting Help for Flu Vaccine Injuries
While the CDC recommends vaccination against the flu for most people and reports that, “for more than 50 years, hundreds of millions of Americans have safely received seasonal flu vaccines,” getting the annual flu shot does present certain risks. One of these is the risk of a shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA).
While SIRVA shouldn’t happen, they are the most common cause of claims under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). These injuries occur when vaccine administrators make mistakes during the immunization process. Some of the most common mistakes include choosing the wrong needle length, inserting the needle at the wrong angle, and inserting the needle too high or low on the upper arm. Potential signs of SIRVA following a flu shot include (but are not limited to):
- Intense shoulder pain that doesn’t go away
- Pain radiating away from the shoulder
- Pain that gets worse instead of better
- Severe redness and swelling
- Limited shoulder mobility or range of motion
Along with SIRVA, other potential risks associated with the annual flu shot include anaphylaxis, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) and Parsonage-Turner Syndrome (PTS). While the symptoms of these conditions can vary widely, the following are some examples of signs that prompt medical treatment may be necessary:
- Changes in heart rate or blood pressure
- Difficulty walking or maintaining balance
- Difficulty controlling facial movements
- Progressive muscle weakness in and beyond the shoulder
- Tingling or “prickling” sensations in the extremities
Anaphylaxis, CIDP, GBS, PTS and SIRVA resulting from the annual flu shot are all covered under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). The VICP is a federal government program that covers many of the costs of vaccine-related injuries and illnesses without the need to prove negligence or medical malpractice on the part of a healthcare provider or other vaccine administrator. It covers eligible claimants’ medical expenses, other out-of-pocket costs, loss of income, and pain and suffering resulting from flu shot-related medical conditions. While compensation for pain and suffering is capped at $250,000, there is no limit to the other losses that eligible claimants can recover.
For individuals and families affected by flu vaccine injuries, filing a successful VICP claim can be important for managing the financial and non-financial costs of these injuries long-term. We provide no-cost legal representation for individuals and families who need to file VICP claims nationwide, and you can get started with a free, no-obligation consultation.
Request a Free Consultation with Vaccine Injury Lawyer Leah V. Durant
If you need to know more about filing a claim for a flu-shot related injury or illness under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), we invite you to get in touch. We can help you understand your options and help you make informed decisions about your next steps. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with vaccine injury lawyer Leah V. Durant, please call 202-800-1711 or tell us how we can reach you online today.
Leah Durant Bio
Experienced litigation attorney Leah Durant focuses on representing clients in complex vaccine litigation matters. Leah Durant is the owner and principal attorney of the Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC, a litigation firm based in Washington, DC. Leah Durant and her staff represent clients and their families who suffer from vaccine-related injuries, adverse vaccine reactions and vaccine-related deaths. The Law Offices of Leah V. Durant, PLLC is dedicated to assisting individuals in recovering the highest level of compensation as quickly and efficiently as possible. To learn more, contact vaccine attorney Leah Durant today.
Categories: Flu Vaccine
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