Universal Influenza Immunization Program implementation for the 2024-2025 season
Advisory Alert
September 19, 2024
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To: Local Health System Partners
FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
Important information about the 2024-2025 Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP)
This year the ministry will be launching COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza vaccination campaigns for the 2024-2025 respiratory illness season. Information on the RSV high-risk older adult and infant and high-risk children campaigns has been shared in previous advisory alerts. The COVID-19 vaccine implementation plan is expected in the coming weeks. This advisory alert provides details on the 2024-2025 influenza program.
Influenza vaccine distribution and administration timelines
Influenza vaccines may be ordered in accordance with the timelines:
| Date | Health care provider actions |
|---|---|
| October 4, 2024 | Submit initial influenza vaccine orders for high-risk patients. |
| October 18, 2024 | Influenza vaccine orders for high-risk patients will be available for pick-up at Public Health. Submit influenza vaccine order for general patient population. |
| October 31, 2024 | Influenza vaccine orders for the general patient population will be available for pick-up at Public Health. |
Influenza vaccine products for the 2024-2025 season
A variety of influenza vaccine products will be available this year for ordering and immunization as outlined below.
Vaccine product overview
| Vaccine | Availability | Eligibility | Dosage | Post-puncture shelf life for multi-dose vials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FluLaval® Tetra Quadrivalent influenza vaccine – (QIV) GlaxoSmithKline Inc. | 15 mcg/0.5mL Multi-dose vial format (MDV) | 6 months of age and older | 0.5 mL IM | 28 days |
| Fluzone® Quadrivalent (QIV) Sanofi Pasteur Limited | 15 mcg/0.5mL MDV and pre-filled syringe (PFS) format | 6 months of age and older | 0.5 mL IM | 28 days |
| Flucelvax® Quad (QIV) Cell culture-based Seqirus Limited | 15 mcg/0.5mL PFS format | 6 months of age and older | 0.5 mL IM | Not applicable |
| Fluzone® High-Dose Quadrivalent Quadrivalent high-dose influenza vaccine- (QIV-HD) Sanofi Pasteur Limited | 60 mcg/0.7 mL PFS format | 65 years of age or older | 0.7 mL IM | Not applicable |
| Fluad® Trivalent adjuvanted influenza vaccine – TIV-adjuvanted (TIV-adj) Seqirus Limited | 15 mcg/0.5 mL PFS format | 65 years of age or older | 0.5 mL IM | Not applicable |
Please use caution when administering Fluzone® products to ensure that the correct vaccine product is chosen for administration based on the age of the recipient.
Vaccine recommendations
Any of the available standard dose quadrivalent influenza vaccines may be administered without preference for individuals 6 months to 64 years of age, regardless of health status.
Two doses of vaccine are required, at least 4 weeks apart, for children under the age of 9 who are receiving the influenza vaccine for the very first time. It is recommended that the same product of vaccine be administered for both doses, however, if the product of vaccine used for first dose is not available for the second dose, a different product of influenza vaccine may be provided; where possible if the first dose was FluLaval® Tetra or Fluzone® Quadrivalent, one of these should be provided as the second dose. Children under age 9 who have previously received one or more doses of seasonal influenza vaccine require only one dose per season going forward.
For seniors 65 years of age and older, QIV-HD is the preferred product for vaccination, when available, as evidence shows it generates a stronger immune response. If QIV-HD is not available, TIV-adj is also designed to generate a stronger immune response, though real-world evidence has not validated this. If neither of these preferred products is available, any of the available influenza vaccines should be used. It is important for older adults to be vaccinated. DO NOT delay vaccination to wait for a particular vaccine product.
Vaccine co-administration
Influenza vaccines may be administered at the same time as (for example, on the same day), or at any time before or after administration of other vaccines (either live or inactivated), for those aged 6 months and older. Co-administration of seasonal vaccines such as COVID-19, influenza and RSV vaccines for those eligible is encouraged wherever possible.
Please note for adults 65 years of age and older, there are no direct studies on the co-administration of Shingrix with adjuvanted or high-dose influenza vaccine. It is unknown how the adjuvants may interact with Shingrix if co-administered.
UIIP implementation package
Please refer to the attached implementation package which includes the following:
- Fact Sheet for Health Care Providers
- Fact Sheet for 65+
- Fact Sheet for 6 months to 64 Years
- Letter to Health Care Providers
Further details are available on the ministry Universal Influenza Immunization Program website. We will share any additional information regarding the influenza vaccine and roll-out for Ontario as it is shared by the province.
Contact Public Health Sudbury & Districts
- To order a vaccine, please complete the Respiratory Vaccine Order Form and email it to vaccineorder@phsd.ca or fax it to 705.677.9616.
- Vaccines can be reported using the updated reporting form and faxed to 705.677.9616 (the form is also available in French).
- To report an adverse event following immunization, complete the AEFI reporting form and fax to 705.677.9616.
- For immunization inquiries, call the Vaccine Preventable Diseases program at 705.522.9200, ext. 458 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).
Thank you in advance for your ongoing commitment to protecting the heath and safety of your patients through the administration of influenza vaccines.
Sincerely,
Original Signed By
M. Mustafa Hirji, MD, MPH, FRCPC
Acting Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer
NOTE: All Advisory Alerts are found on our website.
This item was last modified on September 20, 2024