The flu is a health risk for Canadians. It causes up to 15,000 hospitalizations every year and is one of the top 10 causes of death. Getting a flu vaccine is the best way to prevent the flu and any severe complications. Unfortunately, many Canadians do not get the flu vaccine. A recent survey found that less than a quarter of healthy adults got the flu vaccine.
In Canada, current standard access to influenza vaccination is at physician offices, public health clinics, or pharmacy. Therefore, this study is testing a novel access route to influenza vaccine. This study will answer the question: "Will self-administration at home of FLUMIST through a pharmacy pick up model increase uptake of influenza vaccination compared to usual care?" FLUMIST is a needle-free vaccine given as a nasal spray.
Households will be randomly chosen to either be offered the FLUMIST vaccine that can be given at home or to make their own choice for the flu season, which may or may not include vaccination.
Inclusion Criteria:
Household: Households with at least one child aged 2 to 17 years, living in Burlington, Ontario Individual: 1) Residence in an eligible household 2) Age 2 years to 59 years
Exclusion Criteria:
Household: Households where all members have received influenza vaccine in 2 years prior to the study.
Individual:
loebm@mcmaster.ca905-525-9140 ext. 26066
Children, adolescents, adults 9 to 59 years - 1 dose (0.2 ml). Children 2 to 8 years not previously vaccinated with seasonal influenza vaccine - 2 doses (0.2ml each, at least 4 weeks apart)
Usual Care
LAIV (FlumistĀ®) Administration in CF Patients
Immunogenicity and Safety of Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (Flumist) Administered by Nasal and Sublingual Route
Home Administration of FluMist by Parents/Caregivers
Immunologic Response to FluMist vs. Flucelvax
Study of the Protective Effect of an Injectable Influenza Vaccine Against Influenza Illness in Adults Under 50 y.o.
Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of FluMist Vaccination in a School-Based Intervention Program
Rapid Evaluation of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine
Characterizing the Human Airway Immune Response to FluMist Vaccination