Canada has its counterpart to our Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). It is the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, or NACI. This group oversees and makes policy and guidelines for every vaccine available in their country.
Recently, the NACI made some comments about the timing of flu vaccine applicable to the 2026 flu season. Their guidance statements says the following:
- Influenza vaccine should be given to anyone aged 6 months or older
- There is “no optimal timing” for influenza vaccination in specific populations
- Early Fall, shortly after the vaccines are available, remains the best time to provide “sustained protection”
- Failure to be vaccinated creates increased risk of becoming infected before vaccination or before protective immunity is established. Protective immunity takes two weeks after vaccination to generate.
- The best advice for vulnerable patients is get vaccinated “as soon as you can.”
- Don’t wait until flu season is in the news.
- Immunity from influenza vaccination lasts six months or more ie. most of the flu season
- Vaccinate the most vulnerable first—nursing home residents, frail, chronically ill, etc.
- Second dose, or a booster shot, isn’t recommended.
There is nothing new here. It’s just a reiteration of long-ago-decided policy. The real message is get a flu shot ASAP. Don’t be stubborn and put it off. The earlier you get it, the better immunity you acquire.
That means if you haven’t already gotten your flu shot, tempus is fugitting so get your shot ASAP .
Reference: Radcliffe S. Vaccine Advisory Group Offers Advice on flu Vaccine Timing. medscape.com 2026 September 24.
