General resources
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has published state recommendations for the current season: DPH Recommendations for the Use of Seasonal Influenza Vaccines for the 2026–2027 Respiratory Season.
Consolidated National Recommendations and Summaries
DPH influenza recommendations align with consolidated national guidance from leading medical professional societies (AAP, AAFP, ACOG, IDSA). Clinicians can review the AMA Consolidated Respiratory Virus Immunization Recommendations and access a [1-Page PDF Summary of Recommendations] suitable for clinical reference and printing.
CDC has released Interim Clinical Considerations for the Use of Seasonal Influenza Vaccines in the United States for the 2026-2027 Flu Season. The Interim Clinical Considerations are based on the existing CDC recommendation for influenza vaccine and contain guidance for selection of influenza vaccine, timing of vaccination, and other information for clinicians.
Planning clinics and campaigns
The National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit created resources to assist in the planning and operation of vaccination clinics, including annual flu clinics, school-based clinics, and vaccination clinics. This document summarizes key points in running a successful clinic and provides links to many other useful resources. Learn more: Tools to Assist Satellite, Temporary, and Off-Site Vaccination Clinics and Guidelines for Vaccination Clinics (PDF) | (DOCX).
CDC also has a clinic resource page entitled Planning Activities which outlines the logistics and considerations needed to plan a vaccination clinic.
Public providers interested in holding vaccination clinics may benefit from enrolling in the Vaccine Reimbursement Program for Public Providers. Commonwealth Medicine, the health care consulting division of UMass Medical School, manages this program that reimburses public providers for vaccines and their administration by billing health plans.
Influenza vaccines may be administered during the same time as other vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines. When administering multiple vaccines at a single visit, give each vaccine at a separate anatomic site (in separate limbs, if possible).
Screening forms
Always screen patients for contraindications and precautions before a vaccine is administered, even if the same vaccine was administered previously. A patient’s health status or the recommendations for contraindications and precautions may have changed since the last dose was given.
Screening helps prevent adverse reactions, such as anaphylaxis. At each visit, use a standardized screening tool to assess patients consistently and correctly. Screening forms can be found at the Immunization Action Coalition website.
- Screening Checklist for Contraindications to Inactivated Injectable Influenza Vaccination (PDF)
- Screening Checklist for Contraindications to Live Attenuated Intranasal Influenza Vaccination (PDF)
Clinic Vaccine Administration Record (DOC) is an important tool for vaccination clinics. It serves as a centralized location to keep track of required documentation for vaccinations, including brand and lot number of vaccine administered, dose, and route of administration.
The Withdrawal of Permission Sample Form for Schools can be modified by districts/schools to fit their needs. It can be used for parents to withdraw previously given permission for a child to receive a vaccination at school.
DPH recommends the Model Standing Orders for influenza and other vaccine preventable diseases provided by immunize.org.
For guidance on how to properly store vaccines, please visit the Vaccine Management page as well as the CDC Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit.
Influenza vaccination of healthcare personnel (HCP)
Always screen patients for contraindications and precautions before a vaccine is administered, even if the same vaccine was administered previously. A patient’s health status or the recommendations for contraindications and precautions may have changed since the last dose was given.
Screening helps prevent adverse reactions, such as anaphylaxis. At each visit, use a standardized screening tool to assess patients consistently and correctly. Screening forms can be found at the Immunization Action Coalition website.
- Screening Checklist for Contraindications to Inactivated Injectable Influenza Vaccination (PDF)
- Screening Checklist for Contraindications to Live Attenuated Intranasal Influenza Vaccination (PDF)
Clinic Vaccine Administration Record (DOC) is an important tool for vaccination clinics. It serves as a centralized location to keep track of required documentation for vaccinations, including brand and lot number of vaccine administered, dose, and route of administration.
The Withdrawal of Permission Sample Form for Schools can be modified by districts/schools to fit their needs. It can be used for parents to withdraw previously given permission for a child to receive a vaccination at school.
DPH recommends the Model Standing Orders for influenza and other vaccine preventable diseases provided by immunize.org.
For guidance on how to properly store vaccines, please visit the Vaccine Management page as well as the CDC Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit.