Influenza is among the leading causes of hospitalization in older adults in Canada. Wilhelm M. (2018).
60% of hospitalizations due to influenza in 2018 occurred among adults over 65 years of age, and 87% of those had more than one chronic condition. Government of Canada (2019)
For these at-risk groups, influenza can lead to serious complications including significantly diminished functional ability and death. Yet despite the illustrated severity of influenza in older adults, the decline in influenza vaccination and suboptimal rates for 2018-2019 is evidenced by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) in the Departmental Results Report on Infectious Disease and Control, (World Health Organization) and far below the national coverage goals of 80%. Government of Canada (2019)
Today in the release of the report on “Bringing Canadian Patient Organizations Together in the Fight Against Influenza” the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) together with Cardiac Health Foundation of Canada, National Pensioners Foundation, Active Aging Canada, Canadian Pharmacists Association, the Lung Association, the Lung Health Foundation and CanAge are calling for stronger support that enables civil society organisations to be an empowering voice that advocates to its member and the broader community the importance of being vaccinated against influenza.