The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently revised its recommended child and adolescent vaccine schedule, reducing the number of vaccines universally recommended from 17 to 11. However, infectious disease experts in Canada do not anticipate a similar change in recommendations following the CDC’s update.
Dr. Cora Constantinescu, a pediatrician and infectious diseases specialist from Alberta, stated, “Just because the CDC has changed their recommendation, I do not see Canada changing their recommendations. No new evidence has emerged in our populations to warrant a change.”
Public health organizations tailor their immunization recommendations based on factors such as regional needs, demographics, budget constraints, and available public health resources.
Varying Immunization Needs Across Regions
In Canada, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) issues vaccine recommendations, but decisions on implementation are made by provincial and territorial health authorities, according to Constantinescu.
Each region assesses factors like budget constraints, public health resources, procurement of vaccines, delivery capabilities, and timeliness in deciding which recommendations to follow.
Adjustments in guidance occur as disease patterns evolve. For instance, in response to a meningitis outbreak at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia in 2022, the province began offering meningococcal B (Men-B) vaccines to individuals in post-secondary institutions, despite it not being part of the regular childhood immunization schedule.
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Constantinescu emphasized the importance of considering the disease risk and budgetary implications when deciding on vaccine recommendations. Different regions also exhibit varying levels of vaccine access and uptake.
Comparisons with “peer nations” may not always be relevant. While the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services cited influences from countries like Denmark, Japan, and Germany, Dr. Caroline Quach-Thanh, a specialist in infectious diseases, argued that public health recommendations should be based on the specific healthcare
