L Zhao1, K Young1, I Gemmill2,3. 1. Centre for Immunization and Respiratory Infectious Diseases, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, ON. 2. NACI Influenza Working Group Chair. 3. Queen's University, Kingston, ON.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Many different influenza vaccines are authorized for use in Canada and new evidence on influenza and vaccines is continually emerging. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) provides annual recommendations regarding the use of seasonal influenza vaccines to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) for the upcoming influenza season. OBJECTIVE: To summarize NACI recommendations regarding the use of seasonal influenza vaccines for the 2019-2020 influenza season, including conclusions from reviews of evidence on 1) a new split virus quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine and 2) the comparative effectiveness and immunogenicity of subunit and split virus inactivated influenza vaccines in adults 65 years of age and older. METHODS: For both topics, the NACI Influenza Working Group developed a predefined search strategy to identify all eligible studies, assessed their quality, summarized and analyzed the findings and, according to the NACI evidence-based process, proposed recommendations and identified the grade of evidence that supported them. In light of the evidence, the recommendations were then considered and approved by NACI. RESULTS: NACI concluded that the new split virus quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine has a safety and immunogenicity profile comparable to the quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccines already authorized for adults and children 5 years of age and older (Grade B Evidence). Therefore, NACI recommended that this new vaccine may be considered among the quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccines offered to adults and children five years of age and older (Discretionary NACI Recommendation). However, NACI concluded that the evidence is not sufficient (Grade I Evidence) to support specific recommendations on the differential use of subunit and split virus inactivated influenza vaccines in adults 65 years of age and older. CONCLUSION: NACI continues to recommend that an age-appropriate influenza vaccine should be offered annually to anyone six months of age and older who does not have contraindications to the vaccine, with focus on the groups for whom influenza vaccination is particularly recommended. This includes people at high risk of influenza-related complications or hospitalization, people capable of transmitting influenza to those at high risk, people who provide essential community services and people in direct contact with poultry infected with avian influenza during culling operations.
BACKGROUND: Many different influenza vaccines are authorized for use in Canada and new evidence on influenza and vaccines is continually emerging. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) provides annual recommendations regarding the use of seasonal influenza vaccines to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) for the upcoming influenza season. OBJECTIVE: To summarize NACI recommendations regarding the use of seasonal influenza vaccines for the 2019-2020 influenza season, including conclusions from reviews of evidence on 1) a new split virus quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine and 2) the comparative effectiveness and immunogenicity of subunit and split virus inactivated influenza vaccines in adults 65 years of age and older. METHODS: For both topics, the NACI Influenza Working Group developed a predefined search strategy to identify all eligible studies, assessed their quality, summarized and analyzed the findings and, according to the NACI evidence-based process, proposed recommendations and identified the grade of evidence that supported them. In light of the evidence, the recommendations were then considered and approved by NACI. RESULTS: NACI concluded that the new split virus quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine has a safety and immunogenicity profile comparable to the quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccines already authorized for adults and children 5 years of age and older (Grade B Evidence). Therefore, NACI recommended that this new vaccine may be considered among the quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccines offered to adults and children five years of age and older (Discretionary NACI Recommendation). However, NACI concluded that the evidence is not sufficient (Grade I Evidence) to support specific recommendations on the differential use of subunit and split virus inactivated influenza vaccines in adults 65 years of age and older. CONCLUSION: NACI continues to recommend that an age-appropriate influenza vaccine should be offered annually to anyone six months of age and older who does not have contraindications to the vaccine, with focus on the groups for whom influenza vaccination is particularly recommended. This includes people at high risk of influenza-related complications or hospitalization, people capable of transmitting influenza to those at high risk, people who provide essential community services and people in direct contact with poultry infected with avian influenza during culling operations.
Entities:
Keywords:
NACI; National Advisory Committee on Immunization; guidance; influenza; influenza vaccine
Authors: Danuta M Skowronski; Travis S Hottes; Mei Chong; Gaston De Serres; David W Scheifele; Brian J Ward; Scott A Halperin; Naveed Z Janjua; Tracy Chan; Suzana Sabaiduc; Martin Petric Journal: Pediatrics Date: 2011-07-18 Impact factor: 7.124
Authors: Joanne M Langley; Otto G Vanderkooi; Hartley A Garfield; Jacques Hebert; Vijayalakshmi Chandrasekaran; Varsha K Jain; Louis Fries Journal: J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc Date: 2012-03-01 Impact factor: 3.164
Authors: A M Di Castri; D M Halperin; L Ye; D MacKinnon-Cameron; M Kervin; J E Isenor; S A Halperin Journal: Hum Vaccin Immunother Date: 2021-05-14 Impact factor: 3.452
Authors: Reem T Mulla; Luke Andrew Turcotte; Nathalie Ih Wellens; Milou J Angevaare; Julie Weir; Micaela Jantzi; Paul C Hébert; George A Heckman; Hein van Hout; Nigel Millar; John P Hirdes Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2022-04-18 Impact factor: 3.006
Authors: Katie Gravagna; Christina Wolfson; Giorgia Sulis; Sarah A Buchan; Shelly McNeil; Melissa K Andrew; Jacqueline McMillan; Susan Kirkland; Nicole E Basta Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-09-30 Impact factor: 3.752
Authors: Constantina Boikos; Mahrukh Imran; Van Hung Nguyen; Thierry Ducruet; Gregg C Sylvester; James A Mansi Journal: Open Forum Infect Dis Date: 2021-04-02 Impact factor: 3.835