Influenza for Healthcare Providers

The following list of resources will assist healthcare providers during the influenza season. Please note: This web page is updated with the latest documents and links on a regular basis.

Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine

• The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) statement on the use of influenza vaccine in Canada for 2024/2025 is now available.

Universal Influenza Immunization Program

The province has used NACI’s recommendations on the use of influenza vaccine to bring influenza vaccine free of charge to all individuals in Ontario age 6 months of age and older through the 2024-2025 Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP).

The Ministry of Health’s UIIP webpage has been updated with content and resources to support healthcare professionals, including:

• Timelines for eligibility:
• Outlines the high-risk groups that should be prioritized to receive influenza vaccines on an ongoing basis.
• All individuals 6 months of age and older will be eligible for influenza vaccine starting October 28, 2024
• Health Care Provider Fact Sheets:
• Influenza Immunization Information for the 2024/2025 Influenza Season
• Influenza Immunization for individuals 6 months to 64 years of age
• Influenza Immunization for individuals > 65 years of age
• Pharmacy Program
• Reimbursement for vaccine administration

Influenza Vaccine Products

Several influenza vaccine products are available for Ontario’s 2024-2025 UIIP program.

• The vaccine products include protection against the strains of influenza recommended by the World Health Organization for the northern hemisphere’s 2024-2025 influenza season.
• The chart below outlines the influenza vaccine products available. Click on the product name to view the product monograph.
• Download and print the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s 2024-2025 UIIP Vaccine Chart (PDF) for reference.

Notes:

• ¹The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) indicates that egg allergy is not a contraindication for influenza vaccination and that egg-allergic individuals may be vaccinated against influenza using the full dose of any age-appropriate product.
• Delaying vaccination to wait for a specific product is not recommended. HD-QIV, TIV-Adj and QIV will provide protection against influenza, and it is important seniors are vaccinated.

Ordering Influenza Vaccine

• All HCPs who order vaccines (excluding pharmacies) must use the online Public Health Ordering System (PHOS).
• To register for PHOS, your organization’s primary contact must complete the online registration form.
• Long-term care homes, retirement homes, and hospitals can begin ordering the week of September 16th, 2024. Doctor’s offices and other HCPs can begin ordering the week of September 30th, 2024.
• Once your order has been placed, you will receive an email indicating your order has been approved and a pick-up date will be provided.
• If you have any questions about ordering, email VaccineOrders@mlhu.on.ca or call 519-663-5317 (ask to speak with the Vaccine Preventable Disease Team).

Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Consent Form

Download and print the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s template Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Consent Form (PDF). HCPs and organizations can use their own consent form if preferred.

Co-Administration of Influenza Vaccines with Other Vaccines

Influenza vaccines may be given at the same time, or at any time before or after other vaccines, including COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines or monoclonal antibody (MAb).

• If given by injection at the same time, separate limbs should be used if possible. Injections administered into the same muscle should be spaced at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart. Different immunization equipment (needle and syringe) must be used for each vaccine.
• Note: There are no direct studies on the co-administration of Shingrix with Fluad (TIV-adj) or Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent (QIV-HD). With Fluad, it is unknown how the adjuvants may interact when Shingrix is co-administered.

Influenza Immunization Reporting Forms

For the 2021-2022 Universal Influenza Immunization Program, the Ministry of Health no longer requires vaccine utilization reports from facilities that participate.

Reporting Requirements for Health Care Worker Influenza Immunization (Long-Term Care Homes and Public Hospitals)

• Long-term care homes and publicly hospitals are required to report health care worker immunization rates to the Health Unit by mid to late January 2025. Further details regarding collection of health care worker coverage rates, including forms, will be provided when available.

Reporting Requirements for Long-Term Care Home Resident Influenza Immunization

• Long-term care homes are required to report resident immunization rates to the Health Unit by mid to late January 2025. Further details regarding collection of resident coverage rates, including forms, will be provided when available. 

Influenza Outbreak Tools

• Recommendations to the Control of Respiratory Outbreaks in Long-Term Care Homes

Line Lists

• Respiratory Line List for Retirement Homes and Long Term Care Homes
• Respiratory Line List for Hospitals

Specimen Collection and Testing

• Public Health Ontario Test Information Index
• Public Health Ontario Laboratory Services
• How To Do A Nasopharyngeal Swab

Antivirals

• Recommendations for Oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) use for Prevention and Treatment of Residents/Patients during an Influenza Outbreak - September 2023 (PDF)
• Oseltamivir unimmunized staff letter for physicians to be distributed to unimmunized staff if influenza outbreak declared in facility (PDF)
• Antiviral Medications for the 2023-24 Seasonal Influenza (Public Health Ontario)
• Influenza Antiviral Treatment (Public Health Ontario)

Surveillance

Local Surveillance

• Middlesex-London Health Unit Influenza Surveillance Reports
  The Middlesex London Health Unit’s Influenza Surveillance Report is published weekly during the influenza season (November to May). The purpose of the influenza surveillance report is to provide a picture of influenza activity in Middlesex London.

Provincial Surveillance

• Ontario Respiratory Virus Tool
  The Ontario Respiratory Virus Tool provides comprehensive epidemiological information of respiratory virus activity in Ontario, including COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory viruses.

National Surveillance

• Flu Watch - Public Health Agency of Canada
  Please note: This web page provides a weekly summary of influenza activity in Canada.

Resources

• Ministry of Health and Long Term Care - Influenza
• Immunize Canada Influenza Resources
• Health Care Provider Fact Sheets:
• Health Care Provider Q&As: Information for the 2024-2025 Influenza Season
• Health Care Provider Q&As: Information for individuals 6 months to 64 years of age
• Health Care Provider Q&As: Information for individuals 65 years of age and older