there are several options available for the 2013-2014 season. there is a 3-strain trivalent flu vaccine will protect against two influenza a viruses and an influenza b virus. the following trivalent flu vaccines are available: a standard dose trivalent shots that are manufactured using virus grown in eggs. these are given in the upper arm muscle and are approved for people ages 6 months and older. there are different brands of this type of vaccine and each is approved for different ages. however there is a brand that is approved for children as young as 6 months old and up. a standard dose trivalent shot containing virus grown in cell culture which is given in the upper arm muscle and is approved for people 18 and older. a standard dose trivalent shot that is 100% egg-free given in the upper arm muscle approved for people 18 through 49 years of age. a high-dose trivalent shot given in the upper arm muscle approved for people 65 and older. a standard dose “intradermal” trivalent shot which is injected into the skin instead of the muscle and uses a much smaller needle than the regular flu shot approved for people 18 through 64 years of age. there is also a 4-strain quadrivalent flu vaccine on the market that will protect against two influenza a viruses and two influenza b viruses. the following quadrivalent flu vaccines will be available: a standard dose quadrivalent shot given in the upper arm muscle a standard dose quadrivalent flu vaccine given as a nasal spray approved for healthy (persons who do not have an underlying medical condition that predisposes them to influenza) people 2 through 49 years of age
what kinds of flu vaccines are available for the 2013-2014 season?