Updates to the Canadian Immunization Guide: March 2014 to March 2015

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Immunization Practices
• Vaccinology

Background:

• The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) provides vaccine recommendations for Canadians.
• These recommendations are published in the Canadian Immunization Guide, updated regularly.
• Recent updates reflect new vaccine authorizations and evolving clinical guidance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize key vaccine recommendation updates issued by NACI between March 2014 and February 2015.
• To inform healthcare providers and the public about changes in vaccine use and administration.
• To ensure the Canadian Immunization Guide reflects current best practices in immunization.

Main Methods:

• Review of recommendations issued by NACI during the specified period.
• Analysis of changes related to specific vaccines including human papillomavirus (HPV), varicella zoster immune globulin (VarIg), meningococcal, influenza, and pneumococcal vaccines.
• Identification of vaccine chapters removed from the Guide due to unavailability.

Main Results:

• New recommendations were issued for alternative dosing of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in adolescents.
• Guidance was updated on the timing of varicella zoster immune globulin (VarIg) administration post-exposure.
• Recommendations were established for newly authorized meningococcal and quadrivalent influenza vaccines.
• Changes were made to pneumococcal vaccine recommendations for adults and individuals with asthma.
• The chapter on tick-borne encephalitis vaccine was removed as the vaccine is no longer available in Canada.

Conclusions:

• NACI actively updates vaccine recommendations to incorporate new scientific evidence and product availability.
• These updates ensure that immunization practices in Canada remain current and effective.
• The Canadian Immunization Guide serves as a critical resource for evidence-based vaccination strategies.