Ask the Allergist

What are the Different Types of Flu Vaccines?

AAFA's Ask the Allergist Service 11/28/229:38 AM

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Question

What does it mean when a vaccine is called "bivalent" or "quadrivalent"?

Answer

There are nine influenza vaccines that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the 2022-2023 flu season. This year, all FDA-approved flu vaccines are quadrivalent. This means that they protect against four different strains of influenza.

Influenza is the virus that causes the flu. Bivalent flu vaccines protect against two different strains of influenza. These have been used in the past. A list of the available quadrivalent flu vaccines is listed, here.

Categories

Flu (Influenza)

Answered by

John M. James, MD, is a board-certified allergist. He is also President of Food Allergy Consulting and Education Services, LLC. He has worked as a medical specialist in the field of allergy, asthma, and immunology for over 30 years. Dr. James received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas and his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Tennessee. He is board certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.

Reviewed and Answered

October 31, 2022

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