Fluzone® Procurement Guide for the 2026–27 Flu Season

Updated August 2026

The 2026–27 influenza season brings an updated trivalent formulation of Fluzone®. For healthcare practices planning seasonal vaccine inventory, understanding the current strain composition, available presentations, storage requirements, and procurement considerations can help support an organized ordering process.

This guide provides general product and procurement information. Practices should refer to current FDA-approved labeling, CDC/ACIP recommendations, and their own clinical protocols for vaccination, dosing, administration, and patient-specific decisions.

What’s New for the 2026–27 Flu Season?

Fluzone® Is Now Trivalent

For the 2026–27 influenza season, the egg-based Fluzone® formulation contains three influenza virus strains:

• A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus
• A/Darwin/1454/2025 (H3N2)-like virus
• B/Tokyo/EIS13-175/2025 (B/Victoria lineage)-like virus

The 2026–27 formulation includes updated strains for all three components.

The transition from quadrivalent to trivalent influenza vaccines reflects the removal of the B/Yamagata lineage. The B/Victoria lineage remains included in the 2026–27 egg-based formulation.

Fluzone® Presentations for 2026–27

Fluzone® is available in both single-dose and multidose presentations.

0.5 mL Single-Dose Prefilled Syringe

The 0.5 mL single-dose prefilled syringe is a preservative-free Fluzone® presentation approved for individuals 6 months of age and older.

The prefilled syringe:

• Contains 0.5 mL per dose
• Is manufactured without thimerosal or another preservative
• Is available for use across the approved age range in accordance with current FDA labeling

The 0.25 mL prefilled syringe is no longer available. For children 6 through 35 months, Fluzone® has an approved dose volume of either 0.25 mL or 0.5 mL. The available 0.5 mL prefilled syringe can be used for this age group according to current labeling and clinical guidance.

5 mL Multidose Vial

The 5 mL multidose vial remains a labeled Fluzone® presentation.

Unlike the single-dose prefilled syringe, the multidose vial contains thimerosal as a preservative. Each 0.5 mL dose from the multidose vial contains 25 mcg of mercury, while each 0.25 mL dose contains 12.5 mcg.

Current ACIP guidance recommends single-dose seasonal influenza vaccine formulations that are free of thimerosal as a preservative. The multidose vial remains a labeled presentation, but its use is not recommended under current ACIP guidance.

Planning Inventory by Practice Profile

Pediatric Practices

Practices serving pediatric populations should consider anticipated seasonal vaccination volume, age distribution, and the presentations available when planning inventory.

For children 6 through 35 months, the FDA-approved Fluzone® dose is either 0.25 mL or 0.5 mL, while the 0.25 mL prefilled syringe is no longer available. Practices should refer to current FDA labeling and ACIP recommendations for applicable dosing and vaccination schedules.

Adult and Mixed Practices

Practices serving adult or mixed populations can consider expected vaccination volume, patient age distribution, available presentations, and seasonal ordering requirements when planning inventory.

For adults 65 years of age and older, ACIP has preferential recommendations for certain influenza vaccine products. Practices should consult the current ACIP recommendations and applicable FDA labeling when evaluating influenza vaccine products for this population.

Single-Dose vs. Multidose Presentations

The main presentation distinction for 2026–27 is between:

0.5 mL single-dose prefilled syringe

• Preservative-free
• No thimerosal
• Approved for individuals 6 months and older

5 mL multidose vial

• Contains thimerosal as a preservative
• Remains a labeled Fluzone® presentation
• Not recommended under current ACIP guidance

Practices should use current clinical guidance and their established protocols when determining which presentation is appropriate for their operations.

Storage and Handling Requirements

Fluzone® should be stored refrigerated at 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) and should not be frozen.

Before ordering, practices should confirm that their storage and handling procedures can maintain the required temperature range from receipt through administration.

Procurement teams should consider:

• Available refrigerated storage capacity
• Temperature monitoring procedures
• Expected seasonal vaccination volume
• Product presentation and packaging requirements
• Inventory management procedures
• Ordering and delivery timelines

Always refer to the current FDA package insert for complete storage and handling requirements.

Ordering Fluzone® for the 2026–27 Season

Plan Ahead

Seasonal influenza vaccine demand can vary by practice, patient volume, and timing of vaccination campaigns.

Planning orders in advance can help practices account for expected demand and available product presentations.

Pipeline Medical can provide current product availability and ordering information to support procurement planning.

Confirm the Current Formulation

When reviewing 2026–27 inventory, confirm that the product reflects the current season’s formulation.

For the egg-based Fluzone® formulation, the current 2026–27 strains are:

• A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like
• A/Darwin/1454/2025 (H3N2)-like
• B/Tokyo/EIS13-175/2025 (B/Victoria lineage)-like

These components reflect the FDA’s current 2026–27 recommendations for egg-based influenza vaccines.

How Pipeline Medical Can Support Procurement

Pipeline Medical can help practices review current Fluzone® availability, presentations, and ordering information for the 2026–27 influenza season.

Our ordering team can help review available Fluzone® presentations, current inventory, and procurement timelines based on your practice’s purchasing needs.

Clinical decisions regarding vaccine selection, dosing, administration, and individual patients should remain with qualified healthcare professionals and follow current FDA labeling, CDC/ACIP recommendations, and the practice’s established clinical protocols.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fluzone® trivalent for the 2026–27 season?

Yes. The egg-based Fluzone® formulation for 2026–27 is trivalent and contains:

• A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like
• A/Darwin/1454/2025 (H3N2)-like
• B/Tokyo/EIS13-175/2025 (B/Victoria lineage)-like

The B/Yamagata lineage was removed, while B/Victoria remains in the formulation.

Is the 0.25 mL Fluzone® prefilled syringe still available?

No. The 0.25 mL Fluzone® prefilled syringe is no longer available.

For children 6 through 35 months, the approved Fluzone® dose volume remains either 0.25 mL or 0.5 mL. The available 0.5 mL prefilled syringe can be used for this age group according to current FDA labeling and clinical guidance.

Is the Fluzone® multidose vial still available?

Yes. The 5 mL multidose vial remains a labeled Fluzone® presentation.

It contains thimerosal as a preservative. Current ACIP guidance recommends single-dose seasonal influenza vaccine formulations that are free of thimerosal as a preservative.

What is the recommended dose for children 6 through 35 months?

The FDA-approved dose volume for Fluzone® is 0.25 mL or 0.5 mL for children 6 through 35 months. The applicable dosing schedule should be determined according to current clinical guidance and the patient’s vaccination history.

What dose is used for individuals 3 years and older?

For Fluzone® standard-dose influenza vaccine, the approved dose is 0.5 mL for individuals 3 years of age and older.

Are there different influenza vaccine recommendations for adults 65 and older?

Yes. ACIP preferentially recommends certain influenza vaccine products for adults 65 years of age and older. Practices should review current ACIP recommendations and applicable FDA labeling when evaluating products for this population.

How should practices decide which Fluzone® presentation to order?

Practices can consider expected vaccination volume, patient population, available presentations, storage capacity, and procurement requirements when planning inventory.

Clinical product selection and patient-specific vaccination decisions should follow current FDA labeling, CDC/ACIP recommendations, and the practice’s clinical protocols.

Pipeline Medical can support the procurement process by providing information on product availability, presentations, and ordering timelines.

Key Takeaways

• Fluzone® is trivalent for the 2026–27 influenza season.
• The egg-based formulation contains A/Missouri/11/2025 (H1N1)pdm09-like, A/Darwin/1454/2025 (H3N2)-like, and B/Tokyo/EIS13-175/2025 (B/Victoria lineage)-like viruses.
• B/Yamagata was removed; B/Victoria remains.
• The 0.25 mL prefilled syringe is no longer available.
• The 0.5 mL single-dose prefilled syringe remains available and is manufactured without thimerosal.
• The 5 mL multidose vial remains a labeled Fluzone® presentation and contains thimerosal as a preservative.
• Current ACIP guidance recommends single-dose influenza vaccine formulations that are free of thimerosal as a preservative.
• Practices should use current FDA labeling and CDC/ACIP recommendations for clinical and patient-specific vaccination decisions.
• Pipeline Medical can support product availability and procurement planning for the 2026–27 influenza season.

Sources

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Influenza Vaccine Composition for the 2026–2027 U.S. Influenza Season — 2026.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Package Insert – Fluzone® — current 2026 labeling.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
ACIP Recommendations Summary: Influenza (Flu) — current vaccine presentations, approved ages, dosage, and thimerosal guidance.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
ACIP Vaccine Recommendations — current influenza vaccine recommendations.

Last Updated: August 2026

Medical Information Disclaimer

This article provides general product and procurement information and is not intended to provide medical advice or patient-specific recommendations. Healthcare professionals should consult current FDA-approved prescribing information, CDC/ACIP recommendations, and applicable clinical protocols when making vaccination, dosing, administration, or product-selection decisions.