Influenza
Vaccine recommendations for children and youth for the 2017/2018 influenza season
The Canadian Paediatric Society continues to encourage annual influenza vaccination for all children and youth ≥6 months of age. Recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) for the 2017/2018 influenza season are not substantially changed from those of last season. NACI has conducted a review of all available vaccine effectiveness data concerning live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) and concludes that current evidence supports the continued use of LAIV in Canada, although use is not currently recommended in the USA because of concern about efficacy.
Vaccine recommendations for children and youth for the 2018/2019 influenza season: CPS Practice Point
The Canadian Paediatric Society continues to encourage annual influenza vaccination for all children and youth ≥6 months of age. Recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) for the 2018/2019 influenza season are not substantially changed from those of last season. Quadrivalent vaccine, if available, is recommended for children 6 months to 17 years of age. Either inactivated influenza vaccine or live attenuated influenza vaccine may be used for children and youth 2 to 17 years of age who are not immunocompromised.
American Lung Association
Dedicated to preventing lung disease and promoting lung health (US).
Avian influenza (CDC)
Offers general information and links to resources about bird flu.
Beyond antigenic match: possible agent-host and immuno-epidemiological influences on influenza vaccine effectiveness during the 2015–16 season in Canada
Vaccine effectiveness (VE) estimates are reported from Canada’s Sentinel Practitioner Surveillance Network (SPSN) for the 2015–16 influenza season, characterized by a delayed A(H1N1)pdm09 epidemic and concurrent B(Victoria) activity. Potential influences beyond antigenic match are explored including viral genomic variation, birth cohort effects, prior vaccination and epidemic period.
Canada’s pandemic vaccine strategy
Outlines Canada’s pandemic influenza vaccine strategy as described in the Canadian Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (CPIP) task group annex on vaccines. The strategy encompasses all elements of a vaccine program including prioritization of the initial vaccine distribution, securing a pandemic vaccine supply, regulatory approval of a pandemic vaccine, vaccine safety, distribution and storage of the vaccine, allocation and vaccine uptake.
Canadian Immunization Guide Chapter on Influenza and Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for 2017–2018
This document, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI): Canadian Immunization Guide Chapter on Influenza and Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for 2017–2018 updates NACI’s recommendations regarding the use of seasonal influenza vaccines.
Chapitre sur la grippe du Guide canadien d’immunisation et Déclaration sur la vaccination antigrippale pour la saison 2017-2018
Le présent document, intitulé Comité consultatif national de l’immunisation (CCNI) : Chapitre sur la grippe du Guide canadien d’immunisation et Déclaration sur la vaccination antigrippale pour la saison 2017-2018, met à jour les recommandations du CCNI concernant l’utilisation de vaccins antigrippaux saisonniers.
CPS Practice Point: The benefits of influenza vaccine in pregnancy for the fetus and the infant younger than six months of age
Influenza is a serious problem for infants <6 months of age, whose hospitalization rates for influenza and associated illness are comparable with rates in the elderly. Because influenza vaccines are not effective in this age group, the optimal evidence-based strategy is to administer trivalent inactivated influenza vaccines during pregnancy. Immunizing with trivalent inactivated influenza vaccines in the second and third trimester is well studied and safe, not only providing protection for the pregnant woman and her infant <6 months of age, but also for the fetus by decreasing the risk for low birth weight.
FluWatch
Information on FluWatch, weekly flu reports, surveillance systems and programs, report definitions, and national and international flu resources.