Flu Vaccinations for the 2023-2024 Influenza Season

August 2, 2023

Last updated July 31, 2023

After several years of decreased flu illness due to pandemic precautions such as masking and social distancing, last season saw extremely high rates of influenza. The 2022-2023 season also started much earlier than expected, before many people had been vaccinated. Employers who require or encourage seasonal flu vaccines for employees are wise to make plans for early and widespread vaccination campaigns this fall.

Essential information for employers prepare for the 2023-2024 season:

Annual flu vaccine availability

This year’s seasonal flu shot is not yet available but is expected in early September. Vault will notify all clients by email when our 16,000 nationwide clinic partners begin receiving the vaccine.
Vault clients should not place flu shot orders for individual employees or prospective employees until the vaccine is in stock at clinic locations.
Most flu vaccines are egg-based. The CDC has updated its recommendations for vaccinating people with egg-allergies. For Vault clients who need to accommodate employees with an allergy to eggs, Vault’s Service Coordination team can help locate a clinic with an alternative version of the vaccine in stock.
Both bivalent and quadrivalent vaccine versions will be manufactured this year, at the recommendation of the US Food and Drug Administration.
There are no influenza vaccine shortages projected at this time.
Vault offers onsite vaccination clinics as a value add service to our clients. Start planning for your onsite employee vaccination clinic, email acctmgr@vaulthealth.com with a list of potential locations, ideal dates, times and volumes. The CDC also offers guidance on how to plan a vaccination clinic.

Additional vaccinations to foster a healthy workforce

While most employers no longer mandate COVID-19 vaccinations or boosters, encouraging employees to use their health insurance to voluntarily obtain some or all of the vaccinations below can help keep your team healthy this winter. The CDC says another challenging cold and flu season is possible.

COVID-19 viruses continue to circulate in the US, although current variants may be only minimally covered by the current trivalent COVID-19 vaccine. The FDA has advised manufacturers that an updated vaccine targeting Omicron XXB 1.5 is appropriate. Since the FDA recommendation, the EG.5 variant has begun to circulate in the US, which is also a descendent of XBB. A release date for the updated vaccine has not been posted, but is anticipated in late September.

Pneumonia vaccines continue to be recommended for individuals over the age of 65 or younger individuals with chronic conditions or other risk factors.
A new Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine is now recommended for individuals over age 60, but may be used in a more limited way due to neurological side effects.
Shingles vaccinations are also available and recommended to adults age 50 and older.
Finally, tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (TDAP) vaccines are often given to most children, but require a booster ever 10 years. For many employees who experience a workplace injury, having an up-to-date TDAP vaccination can make a significant difference.

Proactive steps towards workforce wellness

In addition to annual vaccination campaigns, employers can address workplace wellness during cold and flu season in several ways:

Make sure your employees know the resources available to them for testing, prescriptions and medical care. Last year’s significant influenza prevalence combined with COVID-19, RSV and high levels of Strep A circulating exacerbated the shortage for healthcare professionals and available appointments. By encouraging the use of options like telehealth and urgent care can help employees receive treatment and return to work faster.
Don't forget to refill those hand sanitizer dispensers! Pandemic precautions like masks, handwashing posters and hand-sanitizer dispensers are beneficial to prevent the spread of a wide variety of germs. It is also prudent to confirm your janitorial staff is still providing additional services such as wiping down doorknobs and surfaces with disinfectant.
Many employer resources are available from the Centers for Disease Control or state health departments to support employer efforts to ensure employees are vaccinated.
Continue to communicate strict adherence to policies that ensure sick workers stay home.
For health care providers, high quality medical grade masks are only effective if they fit properly. Vault provides its clients with overnight mask shipping and mask fit testing at our nationwide network of clinics. 25 different masks are available on demand. Orders can be placed in FirstRequest.™

If your third-party administrator (TPA) or occupational health provider isn’t meeting your needs for the 2023-24 influenza season, reach out to Vault at sales@vaulthealth.com.