The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), which makes recommendations for the use of vaccines for patients in Canada, released an updated statement for the 2026-2027 influenza season.
NACI reaffirmed its guidance that the influenza vaccine be offered annually to anyone aged 6 months or older, except to those who cannot receive the vaccine because of medical reasons such as an allergy to a vaccine ingredient.
The key changes in the recommendations include the inclusion of new evidence on the optimal timing of seasonal influenza vaccination. This section considers the seasonality of flu activity across Canada and the intraseasonal waning of influenza vaccine-induced immunity.
The current evidence is “insufficient” to establish optimal timing for specific populations, so vaccination in early fall remains the best way to provide “sustained protection” throughout the season, according to the statement.
The statement also includes updated guidance on seasonal influenza vaccination in the context of avian influenza.
“Although seasonal influenza vaccines do not protect against avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses, they may mitigate the severity of seasonal influenza and reduce th...