All Saskatchewan residents 6 months of age and older are eligible to get a free (publicly funded) seasonal influenza vaccine.

Key Information

• The seasonal influenza campaign runs from October 31, 2016 to March 31, 2017.
• All residents 6 months of age and older are eligible to receive publicly funded influenza vaccine.
• The vaccine is strongly recommended for individuals at high risk of becoming seriously ill with influenza (including pregnant women), and those in contact with individuals at high risk of influenza-related complications.
• Fluzone® Quadrivalent (Sanofi Pasteur) and FLULAVAL® tetra (GSK) quadrivalent injectable vaccines (QIVs) are publicly funded for those 6 months of age and older and contain the following viral strains:

• A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
• A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2)-like virus;
• B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus; and
• B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus

• FluMist® Quadrivalent will not be a publicly funded influenza vaccine for 2016-2017.
• Note: Thimerosal free Fluzone ® Quadravalent pre-filled syringes should only be used for persons with a physician-diagnosed and confirmed thimerosal allergy.
• The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) 2016-17 influenza vaccine statement is posted at www.naci.gc.ca.
• Information about location of public health influenza clinics in RQHR will be available on the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region website at http://www.rqhealth.ca
• Up to date information regarding the 2016-2017 influenza program and locations of public health influenza clinics will be posted on the Ministry of Health website http://www.saskatchewan.ca.

Vaccine Availability

• Physician offices wishing to order vaccine need to complete the influenza vaccine participation form and fax it to 306-766-7906. If you did not receive a form, call 306-766-7902.
• Publicly funded influenza vaccine must not be given prior to October 31, 2016 to maximize the protective period of the vaccine through the influenza season.
• Several non-publicly funded influenza vaccines are available for private purchase. The Ministry of Health does not reimburse the costs of any vaccines that are privately purchased.

Handout Resource information

Please display the Influenza Clinic Schedule 2016 in your waiting rooms.

To order a supply of Influenza Clinic Schedule for Regina (tear sheets for patients), please call 306-766-7767.

Copies of the 2016-2017 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine information sheets can be printed from the Ministry of Health website available at: http://www.saskatchewan.ca

Copies of the Schedule of Influenza Clinics in Regina, and for rural RQHR communities can be printed from the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region website at http://www.rqhealth.ca.

• Egg-allergic individuals can receive a full dose of a QIV or LAIV without prior influenza vaccine skin testing, as a routine practice that is supported by NACI.
  
• The Ministry of Health recommends that when a decision is made to re-immunize those who have suffered a past severe allergic reaction (not anaphylaxis) related to an influenza vaccine or its components, these individuals should be vaccinated in a medical clinic, allergy office or hospital where appropriate expertise, equipment and medications to manage respiratory or cardiovascular compromise is available and that they are observed post-immunization for 30 minutes.
• All unusual, severe and unexpected Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) must be immediately reported to the regional health authority. The report form is available at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/im/aefi-form-eng.php

Pneumococcal Polysaccharide 23

• In the RQHR, Pneumococcal 23 is a physician run program. If you would like to order Pneumococcal 23 vaccine, please fill out a Vaccine Order Form and fax it to 306-766-7906. If you did not receive a form, call 306-766-7902.
• If you do not provide vaccines for your patients, please refer them to a physician that does (some walk-in clinics will provide Pneumococcal 23)

The following clients are eligible for Pneumococcal Polysaccharide 23 vaccine