The following provides information about the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s (the ministry’s) Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP) for the 2017-2018 influenza season. The official launch of the UIIP will occur on October 23rd, 2017. Influenza immunization for the general population through community-based influenza immunization clinics will begin on or after the UIIP launch date. As in previous years, immunization of high priority groups should begin as soon as influenza vaccine is available.
All individuals aged 6 months or older who live, work or attend school in Ontario are eligible and are recommended to receive the publicly funded influenza vaccine in Ontario (provided that they have no contraindications to the vaccine).
Individuals at high risk of influenza-related complications or more likely to require hospitalization:
Trivalent Inactivated Vaccines (TIVs)* | Fluviral® | Influvac® | Agriflu® |
---|---|---|---|
Dosage | 0.5mL | 0.5mL | 0.5mL |
Format | Multi-dose vial | Pre-filled syringes | Multi-dose vial |
Administration Route | Intramuscular Injection | Intramuscular Injection | Intramuscular Injection |
Age Indications |
≥6 months | ≥3 years | ≥6 months |
Potential Allergens | Egg Protein^ Formaldehyde |
Egg Protein^ Chicken Protein |
Egg Protein^ |
Post-Puncture Shelf Life | 28 days | N/A | 28 days |
Package Dimensions |
3 x 3 x 7 | 18.8 x 15.2 x 1.7 | 3x7x3 |
Quadrivalent Inactivated Vaccines (QIVs) |
FluLaval Tetra® | Fluzone® Quadrivalent ~ |
---|---|---|
Dosage | 0.5mL | 0.5mL |
Format | Multi-dose vial | Multi-dose vial |
Administration Route | Intramuscular Injection | Intramuscular Injection |
Age Indications |
≥6 months | ≥6 months |
Potential Allergens | Egg Protein^ Formaldehyde |
Multi-dose: Egg Protein^ Formaldehyde Pre-filled: Egg Protein |
Post-Puncture Shelf Life | 28 days | Multi-dose: Pre-filled: |
Package Dimensions in cm |
3 x 3 x 6 | Multi-dose: 3.6 x 2.9 x 6 Pre-filled: 10.4 x 8.9 x 3.8 |
Quadrivalent - Live Attenuated Vaccine (Q-LAIV)** | Flumist® Quadrivalent |
---|---|
Dosage | 0.2mL (0.1mL in each nostril) |
Format | Pre-filled single use sprayer |
Administration Route | Intranasal spray |
Age Indications |
2 to 59 years |
Potential Allergens | Arginine |
Post-Puncture Shelf Life | N/A |
Package Dimensions in cm |
10.6 x 17.6 x 2.9 |
Note: Additional information is available in the product monograph
* Unless specifically requested, the TIVs are primarily targeted to adults 18 years of age and older.
**The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has removed the preferential recommendation for the use of live attenuated vaccine in children 2 to under 6 years of age
^ NACI has concluded that egg allergic individuals may be vaccinated against influenza using live attenuated influenza vaccine (see ADDENDUM – LAIV Use in Egg Allergic Individuals-Canadian Immunization Guide Chapter on Influenza and Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for 2017-18.
~Fluzone ® Quadrivalent and Fluzone High Dose ® are two different products. Please see product monographs for further information.
Age Group | TIV Influvac | TIV Fluviral | TIV Agriflu | QIV FluLaval | QIV Fluzone | Q-LAIV Flumist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 months to 17 years | ✔ Yes |
✔ Yes |
||||
2 to17 years | ✔ Yes |
✔ Yes |
✔ Yes |
|||
≥18 years | ✔ Yes |
✔ Yes |
✔ Yes |
Age Group | TIV Influvac | TIV Fluviral | TIV Agriflu | QIV FluLaval | QIV Fluzone | Q-LAIV Flumist |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 months to 17 years | ✔ Yes |
✔ Yes |
||||
2 to17 years | ✔ Yes (≥3 years)* |
✔ Yes |
✔ Yes |
|||
≥18 years |
Note:
*Influvac is indicated for those 3 years of age and older in the product monograph
Health Care Providers | Location | Order vaccine from |
---|---|---|
All providers with the exception of pharmacists | outside Toronto (not within the "M" potal code) |
Local public health unit by using the Influenza Vaccine Order Form for the UIIP |
All providers | within Toronto (within the "M" area code) |
Ontario Government Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Service (OGPMSS) by faxing the Influenza Vaccine Order Form for the UIIP to 416-327-0818 |
Pharmacists |
outside Toronto (not within the "M" potal code) |
Refer to Pharmacies with Trained Pharmacists section below for details on vaccine ordering
|
The TIV products (Influvac®, Agriflu® and Fluviral®) and QIV products (FluLaval Tetra® and Fluzone® Quadrivalent®) will be distributed based on availability (requests for specific TIV products or QIV products are not permitted). Each TIV product and each QIV product are considered equivalent with respect to their approved indications for use. Please consult your local public health unit to determine vaccine availability for your clinic.
Influenza vaccine is received in Ontario intermittently throughout late September and October, and distributed throughout influenza season. As in previous years, vaccine distribution for the 2017/2018 influenza season will begin around late September to late October for the immunization of high priority groups . Community-based influenza immunization clinics for the general population will begin when the UIIP is officially launched in late-October:
All required fields of the Influenza Vaccine Order Form for the UIIP must be completed to ensure orders are filled.
Please e-mail uiip.moh@ontario.ca or call Service Ontario, INFOline at 1 877-844-1944