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Practice Resources: Influenza Immunization (en français)
Every year, the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Chain Drug Stores (CACDS) and the Canadian Coalition for Immunization Awareness and Promotion (CCIAP), provides you with updated information in our influenza immunization guide for pharmacists.
We offer a number of resources designed to help you run an influenza immunization clinic and to help you identify your high-risk patients and encourage them to get vaccinated against the seasonal flu.
CPhA is working with CCIAP and awaits the National Advisory Committee for Immunization (NACI) 2009-2010 influenza immunization guidelines to update the influenza immunization information for pharmacists for the 2009-2010 flu season.
It is important to communicate that seasonal influenza is different from H1N1 influenza and that the annual ‘flu shot’ protects against the most likely circulating strains of seasonal influenza, however, it will not protect against H1N1. Canada’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. David Butler-Jones, stated in a media briefing, on June 11, 2009, that the H1N1 vaccine is in production and is expected to be available in late fall 2009. This new pandemic H1N1 vaccine may require one or two doses, and will be a separate vaccine from the annual ‘flu shot.’
Please remind your patients that the H1N1 and ‘the flu’ as we know it, are separate and co-existing and both will likely be circulating this fall. Encourage your patients to have both the seasonal and pandemic vaccines as they become available to be protected against both.
There is still much uncertainty at this point; however CPhA is at the forefront of discussions with CCIAP and will update the Influenza Immunization practice resources as soon as the information comes available.
The 2009 Influenza Immunization Kits for Pharmacists are currently being updated. Please check back later this summer for updated influenza immunization resources for the 2009-2010 flu season.
For additional information and updates please visit:
As interim resources, the following are documents from the 2008 Influenza Immunization Kits for Pharmacists.
Resources
2008 Influenza Guide for Pharmacists
This step-by-step guide allows pharmacists to initiate immunization programs in their communities. A brief summary of the current flu immunization guidelines, provincial vaccine coverage criteria and guidelines for identifying high-risk patients are described in the guide. Helpful references are also provided for those who would like more information.
Pocket Guide
This laminated pocket guide is aimed at helping pharmacists and pharmacy staff identify patients at high risk for developing influenza-related complications. A dosing schedule, counselling points and list of quick links are provided.
Customizable Bag Stuffer
New this year is the ability to customize the bag stuffer with your pharmacy’s specific information. Simply click on the white box and enter the information to print and copy. Provide these bag stuffers to every customer during the flu season.
For more information:
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