Influenza vaccine: recommendation of the Public Health Service Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Influenza vaccine for 1978--79 will consist of inactivated trivalent preparations of antigens of influenza viruses expected to be prevalent. Alternative vaccine formulations will be available for different age groups. Annual vaccination is recommended for persons at greatest risk: chronically ill adults and children, and those over 65. Current influenza virus vaccine has been associated with few side effects, but three types of systemic reactions have been described. Pregnant women do not appear to have any special risk from influenza vaccination; physicians evaluating them should use the same criteria applied to other persons.