Influenza virus infection causes a wide spectrum of illness and presents an ongoing disease burden in Canada during the fall and winter months. Risk groups for influenza-related complications or hospitalization include older adults (≥ 65 years old), young children, pregnant persons, and individuals with certain chronic health conditions. Older adults represent the majority of hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths from influenza infection annually in Canada. Vaccination against influenza is crucial for older adults as it helps bolster their immune response, and reduces the likelihood of severe illness, hospitalization, morbidity and mortality. As such, adults 65 years of age and older are prioritized to receive influenza vaccines because of the increased risks of severe disease in this population. Inactivated high-dose, adjuvanted or recombinant influenza vaccines are recommended, when available, over other influenza vaccines for adults 65 years of age and older. This program will provide participants with key information about the three vaccines indicated for older adults in Canada, including an analysis of the data used to support the preferential recommendation for these vaccines. The goal is to inform discussions on how to optimize influenza protection among older adults in Canada.
This program has received an educational grant or in-kind support from Sanofi.
