UPDATE: Health care providers are reminded to continue to order flu vaccine by Monday each week. Quadrivalent vaccine is available for order. There are also still doses of high risk/high dose vaccines for those over 65 years of age available for ordering at this time.
UPDATE: Southwestern Public Health is currently focused on delivering COVID-19 vaccine to the community. As such, the health unit will not be offering any public influenza clinics for the 2021/22 season.
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.
Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP)
- Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP)
- NACI Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine
- Ministry of Health UIIP Influenza Vaccine Products
- Public Health Ontario Influenza Vaccines for the 2021-22 Influenza Season Fact Sheet
- World Health Organization Recommended Influenza Vaccine Use in Northern Hemisphere (2021-22)
Resources from Health Canada
- Canadian Immunization Guide (Subscribe to Updates)
- Canadian Immunization Guide Chapter on Influenza and Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine (2021-22)
Resources from the Ministry of Health
- Health Care Provider Q & A: For the 2021/2022 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
- Alfluria® Tetra
- Fluad®
- Flucelvax® Quad
- FluLaval® Tetra
- Fluzone® Quadrivalent
- Fluzone® High-Dose Quadrivalent
Components of the 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.
Vaccine Ordering and Returns
To order or return vaccine, please refer to vaccine ordering and fridge inspections.