Influenza Information for Health Care Providers

Immunization against influenza (flu) helps save lives. The flu vaccination is a patient’s best defense against the influenza virus.

Diagnosing influenza

For influenza diagnosis information, please refer to:

• Diagnostic information (1) – Ministry of Health and Long Term Care
• Diagnostic information (2) – Ministry of Health and Long Term Care

Treating influenza

The Association of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease Canada (AMMI) has developed comprehensive “Influenza Information and Treatment” guidelines. For complete recommendations, download the guidelines from AMMI Canada.

Protecting patients against influenza

• Protecting Against Influenza in People with Heart Disease
• Protecting Against Influenza in People 65+
• Protecting Against Influenza in People with COPD
• Protecting Against Influenza in People with Diabetes

Influenza immunization

Health care providers play an important role in preventing the spread of influenza. As a health care provider, you can help your patients make an informed decision about influenza immunization.

It’s important to recommend the flu shot to all your eligible patients. Research shows:

• When health care providers recommend a flu shot, patients are more likely to get one. Eight out of 10 people take their physician’s advice and get immunized.
• When health care providers get a flu shot, they reduce the risk of passing the virus on to patients, especially vulnerable people who are more at risk of complications.

View a list of Pharmacy Contacts for Workplace and Retirement Home Flu Clinics.

Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP) 

• Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP)
• NACI Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine
• Ministry of Health UIIP Influenza Vaccine Products
• Canadian Immunization Guide Chapter on Influenza and Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for 2020-2021
  • Recommendation on the Use of Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) in HIV-Infected Individuals
• Supplemental Statement - Mammalian Cell Culture-Based Influenza Vaccines – An Advisory Committee Statement (2020-21)
• Influenza Vaccine Information from the Ministry of Health:
• Health Care Provider Q & A for the 2020/2021 Influenza Season
• Health Care Provider Q & A: Information for Individuals >65 years of age
• Health Care Provider Q & A: Information for individuals 6 months to 64 years of age

Product monographs

• Fluzone® Quad
• Flulaval® Tetra
• Fluzone® High-dose
• Flucelvax® Quad

Components of the 2020-2021 influenza vaccine

The periodic replacement of viruses contained in the influenza vaccines is necessary in order for the vaccines to be effective due to the constant evolving nature of influenza viruses, including those circulating and infecting humans.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2020 - 2021 northern hemisphere influenza season.

Vaccine Ordering and Returns

To order or return vaccine, please refer to vaccine ordering and fridge inspections.