On April 30, 2025, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) released the National Advisory Committee on Immunization's (NACI) Statement on seasonal influenza vaccines for 2025–2026. This guidance is based on current evidence and NACI expert opinion.

• Seasonal influenza vaccination is the most effective way to protect against influenza and its complications, including hospitalization and death.
• Every fall and winter, influenza and its complications place increased pressure on the healthcare system, especially as other respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), circulate. In addition to protecting individuals against influenza and its complications, influenza vaccination helps reduce strain on healthcare resources during these peak seasons.
• Influenza vaccines that meet Health Canada's regulatory requirements for safety, efficacy, and quality are approved for use in Canada. Several types of influenza vaccines are authorized for use, including inactivated, recombinant, and live vaccines, some of which are targeted to specific age groups and health needs.

Following a thorough review of the evidence, NACI makes the following recommendations:

• Influenza vaccine should be offered annually to anyone 6 months of age and older who does not have a contraindication to the vaccine. Patients and providers should also be aware that risks of acquiring influenza are higher in some settings and risks from influenza infection are higher in some individuals than others. Immunization is particularly important for the following groups:
  • People at high risk of severe disease, influenza-related complications, or hospitalization;
    • All children 6 to 59 months of age;
    • Adults and children with certain chronic health conditions;
    • All pregnant women and pregnant individuals;
    • All individuals of any age who are residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities;
    • Adults 65 years of age and older; and
    • Individuals in or from First Nations, Inuit, or Métis communities.
  • People capable of transmitting influenza to those at high risk;
    • Health care and other care providers in facilities and community settings;
    • Household contacts, both adults and children, of individuals at high risk, whether or not the individual at high risk has been vaccinated;
    • Those providing regular childcare to children 0 to 59 months of age, whether in or out of the home; and
    • Those who provide services within closed or relatively closed settings to people at high risk (e.g., crew on a cruise ship).
  • People who provide essential community services (including health care workers); and
  • People whose occupational or recreational activities increase their risk of exposure to avian influenza A viruses (e.g., H5N1).
• Influenza vaccine should be offered as a priority to the groups for whom influenza vaccination is particularly important (listed above).
• The complete list of individuals at high risk for influenza-related complications or hospitalization, as well as those capable of transmitting influenza to these high-risk groups, can be found in the statement.

For the full statement, including supporting evidence and rationale, please see NACI's Statement on seasonal influenza vaccines for 2025–2026.

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