Summary of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Statement for 2023-2024

Angela Sinilaite; Winnie Siu; Jesse Papenburg

doi:10.14745/ccdr.v49i10a01

Summary of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Statement for 2023-2024

Can Commun Dis Rep. 2023 Oct 1;49(10):406-412. doi: 10.14745/ccdr.v49i10a01.

Authors

Angela Sinilaite¹, Winnie Siu^{1

2}, Jesse Papenburg^{3

4

5

6}

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Immunization Programs, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, ON.
² School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, ON.
³ NACI Influenza Working Group Chair.
⁴ Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Montréal Children's Hospital of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC.
⁵ Division of Microbiology, Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Optilab Montréal - McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC.
⁶ Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, School of Population and Global Health, McGill University, Montréal, QC.

Abstract

Background: The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) reviews the evolving evidence on influenza immunization and provides annual recommendations regarding the use of seasonal influenza vaccines. The NACI Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for 2023-2024 updates the 2022-2023 NACI recommendations.

Objective: To summarize the 2023-2024 NACI seasonal influenza vaccine recommendations and to highlight new and updated information.

Methods: In the preparation of the Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for 2023-2024, the NACI Influenza Working Group applied the NACI evidence-based process to critically appraise the available evidence and to propose recommendations. The recommendations were then considered and approved by NACI in light of the available evidence.

Results: Key changes for the 2023-2024 season include: 1) incorporation of updated information/guidance on influenza vaccination in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); 2) new recommendations for Flucelvax^® Quad and Influvac^® Tetra, the two quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccines with expanded paediatric age indications; and 3) an update to the format of the Statement.

Conclusion: Overall, NACI continues to recommend that an age-appropriate influenza vaccine should be offered annually to all individuals aged six months and older who do not have a contraindication to the vaccine, with particular focus on the groups for whom influenza vaccination is particularly recommended.

Keywords: NACI; National Advisory Committee on Immunization; guidance; influenza; influenza vaccine.