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What to Know About the 2023-2024 U.S. Flu Season

Influenza Vaccine for the 2023-2024 Season

FDA's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) met in Silver Spring, Maryland, on March 7, 2023, to select the influenza viruses for the composition of the influenza vaccine for the 2023-2024 U.S. influenza season. During this meeting, the advisory committee reviewed and evaluated the surveillance data related to epidemiology and antigenic characteristics of recent influenza isolates, serological responses to 2022-2023 vaccines, and the availability of candidate strains and reagents.

Influenza virus strains were selected based on the influenza vaccine production method; egg-based and cell- or recombinant-based.

The committee recommended that the quadrivalent formulation of egg-based influenza vaccines for the U.S. 2023-2024 influenza season contain the following:

  • an A/Victoria/4897/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
  • an A/Darwin/9/2021 (H3N2)-like virus;
  • a B/Austria/1359417/2021-like virus (B/Victoria lineage);
  • a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus (B/Yamagata lineage). 

The committee recommended that the quadrivalent formulation of cell- or recombinant-based influenza vaccines for the U.S. 2023-2024 influenza season contain the following:

  • an A/Wisconsin/67/2022 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
  • an A/Darwin/6/2021 (H3N2)-like virus;
  • a B/Austria/1359417/2021-like virus (B/Victoria lineage);
  • a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus (B/Yamagata lineage).

For trivalent influenza vaccines for use in the U.S. for the 2023-2024 influenza season, depending on the manufacturing method of the vaccine, the committee recommended that the A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and B/Austria/1359417/2021-like virus (B/Victoria lineage) viruses recommended above for the quadrivalent vaccines be used.

Source: FDA

Campus Safety Policies

Working or Training in Clinical Buildings

It is UT Southwestern's policy (HSO-203: Influenza Vaccination) that all faculty, fellows, residents, staff, and students working and/or training in our University Hospital and/or clinic are required to maintain annual compliance on or before November 15. Steps for maintaining annual compliance are discussed below. Individuals who fail to comply with this policy may be subject to disciplinary action.

Working or Training in Nonclinical Buildings

In keeping with UT Southwestern’s commitment to safety and to reducing the incidence of influenza on campus, faculty and staff who are not covered individuals under this policy are also encouraged, but not required, to maintain annual compliance.

ReadySet

ReadySet is a web-based electronic health record (EHR) system used exclusively by UTSW Occupational Health to store and maintain employee health records. ReadySet health records are completely separate from patient health records and are in no way connected to Epic/MyChart. Therefore, if a UT Southwestern employee is also a UTSW patient, these records are completely separate from each other. Occupational Health does not have access to UTSW employee/patient records in Epic. Most employees are familiar with ReadySet because they are required to complete various health surveys annually for compliance and surveillance.

For help with ReadySet access and use, please OccupationalHealth-UTSW@UTSouthwestern.edu Occupational Health.

How to Access ReadySet

Be Compliant

Complying with UTSW policy is easy. UTSW employees have three compliance options.

  1. Receive the flu vaccine elsewhere (not with Occupational Health).
    1. Log in to Single Sign-On (SSO) or ReadySet Mobile.
    2. Click on Health Surveys on the left-hand side of the screen.
    3. Click on Seasonal Flu Immunization Survey. Complete the survey and select “I ALREADY RECEIVED” on question 1.
    4. Upload your flu vaccine documentation to ReadySet.
    5. Type your UTSW mail code in the comments section of the upload process. Your 4-digit mail code can be found by searching your name in the phone directory.
    6. An Occupational Health nurse will review and chart your vaccine in ReadySet for compliance.
    7. An FY23 flu compliance sticker will be sent to the mail code you provide.
    8. Please note that proof of vaccination must be an official document that includes the following information:
      • Pharmacy or clinic name
      • Employee’s full name
      • Vaccine name
      • Date vaccine given
    9. To avoid duplicating records, do not fax or email your flu vaccination proof to Occupational Health.

  2. Decline the Flu Vaccine
    1. Log in to Single Sign-On (SSO) or ReadySet Mobile.
    2. Click on Health Surveys on the left-hand side of the screen.
    3. Click on Seasonal Flu Immunization Survey.
    4. Complete the survey and select “I DO NOT WANT” on question 1. Please note that you will be required to complete the entire survey and type your name in the signature box before pressing “Submit Final.”
    5. All unvaccinated covered individuals will be required to wear a protective mask while accessing direct patient care areas in accordance with the HSO-203: Influenza Vaccination policy during the peak flu season.

 

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