A Guide to Vaccines for Older Canadians

November 13, 2023 (updated January 29, 2024)
By: Arushan Arulnamby, Samir K. Sinha

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In response to both new and updated vaccines becoming available, the National Institute on Ageing (NIA) has released an updated version of its pamphlet:  A Guide to Vaccines for Older Canadians. This unique resource provides easy-to-understand and practical information in 18 languages to inform and prepare older Canadians especially for the predicted ‘tripledemic’ coming this cold and flu season, and beyond.

Flu and RSV season typically begins in November and ends as late as May. While most cases of influenza and RSV are mild, they can become more serious. Adults aged 65 years and older are at much higher risk: they make up a fifth of Canada’s population, but represent approximately 90 per cent of deaths caused by influenza, RSV, COVID-19 and pneumonia in Canada.