Health Care Provider Flu Information

 

Prioritization for the 2022-2023 Influenza Season

To determine eligibility for influenza vaccination in October, please refer to the Ministry of Health and the National Advisory Committee on Immunization’s guidelines for which individuals are at high risk of influenza-related complications or hospitalization.

Providers should prioritize influenza vaccine administration as follows: 

• Early October: Hospitalized individuals and hospital staff, long-term care home residents and staff. TBDHU will prioritize distribution to hospitals and long-term care homes in early October. 
• October: Individuals at high-risk of complications or hospitalization due to influenza. Please see high risk groups eligible for influenza vaccine in October.
• November 1: General population. 

As TBDHU receives its influenza vaccine in increments, the initial influenza vaccine supply is prioritized for public hospitals and long-term care homes, including health care workers. Next priority for distribution is given to retirement homes and other congregate settings where there are other vulnerable groups.

As supply is replenished, vaccine distribution will continue more broadly to primary care providers. Health care providers can begin immunizing as soon as they receive supply, prioritizing high risk groups. Pharmacies will also receive supply in October to begin immunizing high risk groups.

Attach photos or scans of your temperature log book showing the temperatures since your last order OR just the last two weeks if you have ordered within the last two weeks.

 

Vaccine Product Information

TBDHU has prepared an Influenza Product Cheat Sheet (PDF) with information about these vaccines (including packaging and Panorama product information). Public Health Ontario (PHO) has also provided a factsheet for vaccine providers detailing the Influenza Vaccines for the 2022-2023 Influenza Season (PDF)

The product monographs are listed below for additional details:

• FLUZONE® Quadrivalent
• FLULAVAL Tetra
• Afluria® Tetra
• FLUZONE® High-Dose Quadrivalent
• Fluad®

Supply Disruption of 65+ Vaccines

TBDHU no longer has supply of Fluzone® High-Dose (HD) for the 2022-2023 season. Please note the important information below:

• Pharmacies may still have supply of either Fluzone® HD or Fluad®; however, TBDHU cannot comment on pharmacy supplies and individuals should follow up directly with pharmacies to confirm product availability.
• TBDHU will provide an update to notify providers when Fluad® is no longer available.
• There is minimal evidence to support recommending a preferred flu product for those 65 years of age and older. Regular dose QIV flu products have proven to offer great protection against flu to individuals 65+. Individuals 65+ should receive the flu product they are offered first and should not delay flu immunization.
  • Please see the Canadian Immunization Guide Chapter on Influenza and Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for 2022-2023 for more information. “Any of the available influenza vaccines would be preferable to remaining unvaccinated or requesting individuals to return for vaccine. Therefore, in the absence of a specific product, NACI recommends that any of the available influenza vaccines authorized for this age group should be used.” (NACI)

TBDHU does not expect disruptions or supply issues with other flu products this flu season (e.g., Fluzone® QIV).

 

Ordering, Transporting and Returning Vaccines

City of Thunder Bay and surrounding rural communities

Ordering Vaccines – Primary Care and Clinics

Available vaccine will be distributed to ensure equal access for all ordering health care providers.

Please only order the flu vaccines that you require for the week. It is important to consider your fridge capacity when placing orders. TBDHU recommends not stocking your fridge above 80% capacity. Overstocking your fridge can increase the risk of a cold chain incident.

Please use this updated order form (November 2, 2022) and return the form by email to VaccineOrders@TBDHU.com

TBDHU has a set schedule for vaccine ordering. Please follow this schedule when placing your orders for flu vaccine products.

• Submit flu vaccine orders: Monday-Tuesday
• Pick up flu vaccine orders: Thursday-Friday Please reach out to us if you need an order sooner than this schedule permits.

• Week of January 2-6: TBDHU will be CLOSED January 2. All orders for pick up on January 5 and 6 must be sent to TBDHU by end of day January 3.

Attach photos or scans of your temperature log book showing the temperatures since your last order OR the last two weeks if you have ordered recently. Orders cannot be processed without a copy of the temperature log book.

Emails are preferred as they reduce the risk of misplaced orders and improve the readability of the order and temperature log book submission. Please call (807) 625-5900 with any questions.

Transporting Vaccines

Beginning the week of October 31, flu vaccines can be picked up ONLY during the following time slots (unless you have made special arrangements for an earlier pick-up day):

• Thursdays and Fridays, 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Vaccines must be picked up with a hard sided cooler and thermometer. Coolers to transport vaccines must be pre-conditioned (2-8°C). It is very important to ensure you are bringing adequate pre-conditioned cooler space for your entire order. Please consider the dimensions of the product(s) you are picking-up when preparing your coolers. This video on How to Pack an Insulated Container for Vaccine Transport provides an overview of this process. It is recommended that individuals transporting flu vaccine have reviewed and are familiar with Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidelines and have completed Maintain the Cold Chain module.

To pick up vaccines, use the TBDHU Main Entrance.

• We encourage you to wear a mask when picking up vaccines.
• Let reception staff know that you are here to pick up flu vaccines.
• Temperature log books must be submitted with the order. They cannot be submitted at the time of pick up.

Returning Non-Reusable Flu Vaccine

The TBDHU non-reusable flu vaccine return forms have been updated for the 2022-2023 flu season. Please select the form that is specific to your facility: Health Care Provider or Pharmacy.

For additional information on the return process, please refer to the “Returning Non-Reusable Vaccine” section on our Immunization Resources page for Health Care Providers.

District

District providers are encouraged to contact their local TBDHU Branch Office regarding flu vaccine orders. Please use the District Order Form (Updated November 2, 2022) when ordering flu vaccines from your Branch Office.

 

Health Care Provider Documents – Ministry of Health

• Ontario Flu Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Information for the 2022/2023 Influenza Season (PDF)
• Renseignements pour la saison grippale 2022-2023 (PDF)
• Information for Individuals 6 months to 64 years of age (PDF)
• Renseignements pour les personnes âgées de 6 mois à 64 ans (PDF)
• Information for Individuals ≥65 years of age (PDF)
• Renseignements pour les personnes âgées de ≥ 65 ans (PDF)

    

National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) Statements

• Canadian Immunization Guide Chapter on Influenza and Statement on Seasonal Influenza Vaccine for 2022-2023
• Summary of the NACI Seasonal Influenza Statement for 2022-2023
• Guidance for influenza vaccine delivery in the presence of COVID-19 (2022)

 

TBDHU Resources for Flu Vaccine Promotion

• Poster promoting the flu shot for children 6 months – 4 years old (PDF)
• Poster promoting the flu shot for those at higher risk of serious complications from the flu (PDF)

 

Additional Resources

• Ontario Respiratory Pathogen Bulletin  
• FluWatch - Weekly Influenza reports (Government of Canada)
• Antiviral Medications for Seasonal Influenza (PHO)
• Flu Facts - General Information (Ontario)