ID News: December 2017

Volume 43-12, December 7, 2017: Can we eliminate HIV?

ID News

Addendum to the NACI Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for 2017–2018

Source: National Advisory Committee on Immunization. Addendum—Influvac® Use in Children. [In press].

The recent authorization by Health Canada, extending the indication for the use of Influvac® (BGP Pharma ULC) to include children 3–17 years of age, provided the impetus for the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) to review the recommendation on the use of the vaccine. After careful review of available evidence, NACI has revised its recommendation on the use of Influvac, a trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV).

NACI recommends that Influvac should be considered among the TIVs offered to children 3–17 years of age when a quadrivalent influenza vaccine is not available (Strong NACI Recommendation).

NACI concludes that there is fair evidence of vaccine effectiveness, immunogenicity and safety to recommend the use of Influvac for children 3–17 years of age (Grade B Evidence). There is insufficient evidence, in quantity and quality, to recommend the use of Influvac for children younger than three years of age (Grade I Evidence). The recommendation on the use of Influvac in children is a change from previous NACI statements, as Influvac was not previously recommended by NACI for use in persons younger than 18 years of age.

Notwithstanding this new recommendation on the use of Influvac (a TIV), NACI continues to recommend that a quadrivalent formulation of influenza vaccine be used for children younger than 18 years of age. If a quadrivalent vaccine is not available, a TIV should be used.

Details supporting this recommendation will be published on the NACI website as an addendum to the NACI Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for 2017–2018.