CPS Practice Point: Vaccine recommendations for children and youth for the 2017/2018 influenza season

The Canadian Paediatric Society continues to encourage annual influenza vaccination for ALL children and youth ≥ 6 months of age. Recommendations from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) for the 2017/2018 influenza season are not substantially changed from those of last season.   NACI has conducted a review of all available vaccine effectiveness data concerning live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) and concludes that current evidence supports the continued use of LAIV in Canada, although use is not currently recommended  in the United States because of concern about efficacy.