By Alice McFarlane

Feds order avian influenza vaccine to protect individuals most at risk

Feb 21, 2025 | 12:05 PM

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is taking proactive measures to protect the health of Canadian citizens by securing a supply of a human vaccine against avian influenza.

While the current risk to the public remains low, individuals with higher-level exposure to infected animals are at increased risk.

Canada reported its first domestically acquired human case of avian influenza A (H5N1) on Nov. 9, 2024. To date, there has been no evidence of sustained person-to-person spread of the virus in any of the cases identified globally. However, avian influenza has the potential to cause serious illness in people.

PHAC will provide vaccines to provinces and territories based on a risk-based approach, with 60 per cent of available doses going to provinces and territories and 40 per cent kept in a federal stockpile for national preparedness.

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam said provinces and territories will make decisions on the potential use and administration of their respective vaccination programs in the context of local risk conditions.

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“By making human vaccines against avian influenza available for potential use in individuals at increased risk of exposure to avian influenza as part of our readiness, we are enhancing our capacity to protect people in Canada and respond rapidly to emerging public health challenges,” Tam said.

Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has also released preliminary guidance on the use of human vaccines against avian influenza in a non-pandemic context.

Based on the ever-changing epidemiological situation in Canada and the United States, broad vaccine deployment is not being recommended at this time. However, the guidance provides recommendations for the possible use of this vaccine by provincial and territorial public health authorities in current and potential future scenarios to protect the health of individuals at increased risk of being exposed to the virus.

PHAC said it continues to work closely with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Health Canada, provincial and territorial public health authorities, animal health leaders and experts, industry groups, and international organizations to prepare for and manage the global risks of avian influenza.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

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