Protect yourself this flu season

In Canada, seasonal flu (also known as influenza) activity can begin as early as October and continue until as late as May with peak flu season occurring over a 10 to 16 week period that usually starts in December. With flu season just around the corner, it may be time to start considering ways that you can protect your family and yourself.

In Canada, rates of influenza infection are highest in children aged 5 to 9 years, but rates of serious illness and death are highest in children (under 2 years of age), older persons (over 65 years), and persons with underlying medical conditions.

“During the winter months, seasonal influenza is a major public health concern as it can impact any child, senior or individual with a compromised immune system,” said Dr. John Yaremko, Pediatrician at the Montreal Children's Hospital and Associate Professor at McGill Faculty of Medicine. “Seasonal influenza is especially concerning in babies and young children because their immune systems are not fully developed and high rates of influenza infection,” Dr. Yaremko added.

Due to their immature immune systems and lack of prior exposure to the seasonal flu virus, children may need to achieve a higher immune response than adults in order to attain protective antibody levels. Until recently, non-adjuvanted traditional seasonal influenza vaccines were the only option for children in Canada.

Adjuvanted vaccines like FLUAD Pediatric and FLUAD contain a natural helper agent which helps boost the body's immune response in people whose immune systems is not yet fully formed (like young children) or weakened (like older adults or those with underlying medical conditions).

Clinical trials have demonstrated that adjuvanted vaccines are capable of stimulating a higher immune response in children when compared to non-adjuvanted inactivated seasonal flu vaccines and also showed they could provide some protection against circulating influenza strains not contained in the vaccine. The adjuvanted vaccines also demonstrated significantly improved effectiveness against influenza in comparison to non-adjuvanted trivalent influenza vaccine for people 65 years and older.

The timing of the flu season is very unpredictable and can vary in different parts of the country and from season to season. Help ensure your family is protected by visiting your doctor or a local flu vaccine clinic this fall.