As the 2024-2025 flu season approaches, primary care clinicians have a crucial role in safeguarding their patients’ health and well-being.

In this blog, we’ll explore the updated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for flu and COVID-19 vaccines, along with guidelines for proper storage temperatures.

As the fall and winter virus season approaches, the CDC has released important new guidance: everyone aged 6 months and older should receive the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 and flu vaccines. These vaccines are crucial for protecting against the severe outcomes of COVID-19 and influenza, which remain significant public health threats.

The recommended timing for receiving your flu vaccine remains unchanged – the optimal period is still September and October. Vaccinations in August are not advised, unless it’s the third trimester of pregnancy, for children requiring two vaccine doses, or for individuals who won’t have access to vaccination later in the fall.

Yes, it is safe to receive both vaccines together. One of the key points in the CDC’s guidance is that it is safe to receive both the COVID-19 and flu vaccines during the same visit. This is a convenient option for many, ensuring they are protected against both viruses with minimal disruption to their schedules.

Updated COVID-19 Vaccine

The updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine is designed to protect against the latest variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. As the virus continually evolves and immunity from previous vaccinations or infections diminishes over time, this new vaccine is essential for restoring and enhancing protection. The CDC recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older receive the updated vaccine, regardless of their previous vaccination status.

The new COVID-19 vaccines, available later this year from Moderna, Novavax, and Pfizer, target the variants currently responsible for most infections and hospitalizations in the United States. These vaccines offer better protection against severe outcomes and help reduce the risk of Long COVID, a condition that can cause prolonged symptoms following an acute infection.

Specifically, the updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine is designed to protect against the latest SARS-CoV-2 strain, known as KP.2. This new formulation is expected to provide robust protection against severe illness, hospitalization, and death related to COVID-19.

Pfizer and Moderna have both released updated mRNA vaccines that are fully approved for individuals aged 12 and older. These vaccines also have emergency use authorization (EUA) from the FDA for use in infants and children aged 6 months through 11 years. However, an updated COVID-19 vaccine from Novavax, which targets another strain known as JN.1, has yet to receive FDA approval. The previous Novavax vaccine is no longer available in the United States, as all doses have expired.

These new vaccines are being introduced at a time when a collection of closely related Omicron-descendant SARS-CoV-2 strains are circulating in the United States. While JN.1 was the dominant strain in May 2024, it was surpassed by other Omicron strains, including KP.2, by June. Although KP.2 and JN.1 accounted for only a minimal number of cases by late August, the new vaccines are expected to offer protection against new, related variants as they emerge.

Storage Guidelines for COVID-19 Vaccines

Proper storage of COVID-19 vaccines is crucial to maintaining their efficacy. Each manufacturer has specific requirements:

• Pfizer-BioNTech: The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine typically requires ultra-cold storage for long-term storage. However, it can be stored at refrigerator temperatures (2°C to 8°C or 36°F to 46°F) for up to 10 weeks before use.
• Moderna: The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is usually stored at freezer temperatures of -50°C to -15°C (-58°F to 5°F). For short-term storage, it can be kept in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) for up to 30 days.
• Novavax: The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine can be stored at standard refrigerator temperatures of 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) for long-term storage, making it easier to handle compared to some other vaccines.

Healthcare providers must carefully follow these storage instructions to ensure the vaccines remain effective. Regular monitoring of storage conditions is essential, and any deviations from these guidelines could compromise the vaccine’s effectiveness.

Updated Flu Vaccine

The CDC also recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older receive the updated 2024-2025 flu vaccine. This season, all flu vaccines in the United States are anticipated to be trivalent. Trivalent flu vaccines are formulated to protect against three flu viruses: an A(H1N1) virus, an A(H3N2) virus, and a B/Victoria virus. Both trivalent and quadrivalent flu vaccines are expected to offer similar protection against the flu viruses they cover.

It’s worth noting that B/Yamagata flu viruses, which are typically included in quadrivalent vaccines, have not been circulating in the population since March 2020. As a result, the protection offered by trivalent and quadrivalent flu vaccines is expected to be similar this season. More information about trivalent flu vaccines can be found on the CDC’s website.

Storage Guidelines for 2024-2025 Flu Vaccines

Proper storage of the 2024-2025 flu vaccines is essential to ensure their efficacy. The guidelines are as follows:

• Refrigerator Storage: Flu vaccines should be stored at a temperature range between 2°C and 8°C (36°F and 46°F). It is important to monitor and record the refrigerator temperature regularly to ensure it remains within the recommended range.
• Do Not Freeze: Flu vaccines should never be frozen. Freezing can cause the vaccine to lose its potency, rendering it ineffective.
• Shelf Life: Flu vaccines can typically be stored in the refrigerator until their expiration date, which is clearly marked on the packaging. Always check the expiration date before administering the vaccine.

Healthcare providers must ensure that flu vaccines are stored according to these guidelines to maintain their effectiveness and to protect patients from influenza.

For most people, the ideal time to receive the flu vaccine is in September or October, before the peak of the flu season. However, specific groups, such as pregnant women in their third trimester and children needing two doses, may benefit from earlier vaccination.

The CDC recommends the use of purpose-built or pharmaceutical-grade units designed to either refrigerate or freeze or both.  Purpose-built units, sometimes referred to as “pharmaceutical-grade” are designed specifically for vaccines.

TruMed’s AccuVax, is a purpose-built, all-in-one vaccine management system. AccuVax ensures a more efficient vaccine storage and inventory management process. The all-in-one system includes refrigerator and freezer technology, a door-less design, and guaranteed temperature monitoring. The built-in battery backup also maintains vaccine integrity for 8 hours in the event that your practice experiences a power outage or the system is accidentally unplugged.

Unlike dangerous dormitory-style units and unreliable combination units, AccuVax can safely store both refrigerated and frozen vaccines in one unit. The purpose-built, pharmacy-grade system automatically separates vaccines, so you don’t need to worry about storing them incorrectly and letting them go to waste. What’s more, the door-less technology and built-in battery backup eliminate the main causes of temperature excursions and guarantees the protection of all vaccines stored in the AccuVax.

It is crucial for your facility to have proper vaccine cold storage that is set up correctly, monitored accurately, maintained appropriately, and repaired as needed. This equipment protects patients from inadvertently receiving compromised vaccine and your facility against costs of re-vaccinating patients, replacing expensive vaccines, and losing patient confidence in your practice.

Find out how the AccuVax can support your practice through the busy flu season to provide an effective immunization program.