Staying safe during respiratory season (what health care providers need to know)

Episode 5 of Airwaves & Airways is intended for health care providers who wish to learn more about which vaccines are currently available for patients and how to talk about vaccines with patients. To explore these topics, we are joined by Ajit Johal, who is a clinical assistant professor for the University of British Columbia Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences Program and is the Clinical Director at Immunize.io. Ajit is a community pharmacist focused on vaccinations and since 2012 has been providing clinical education and immunizations within Vancouver. So if you’re a pharmacist, doctor, health educator, or any other type of health care provider, be sure to listen as we dive into how best to support our community this fall. 

To access further evidence-based resources on vaccinations you can visit immunize.io. They have a Vaccine Centre of Excellence which includes free vaccine education resources: https://vaccinecenterofexcellence.com/.  

References: 

• The burden of Pneumococcal and Influenza disease on activities of Daily Living (ADL)’s  -  
• Quinton LJ, Walkey AJ, Mizgerd JP. Integrative Physiology of Pneumonia. Physiol Rev. 2018;98(3):1417-1464. 
• Gonzalo PL, et al. The impact of influenza on functional decline. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2012 July ; 60(7): 1260–1267. 
• Impact of RSV on Independent living after hospitalization - Goldman CR, Sieling WD, Alba LR, Silverio Francisco RA, Vargas CY, Barrett AE, Phillips M, Finelli L, Saiman L. Severe Clinical Outcomes Among Adults Hospitalized With Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections, New York City, 2017-2019. Public Health Rep. 2022 Sep-Oct;137(5):929-935. doi: 10.1177/00333549211041545. Epub 2021 Sep 6. PMID: 34487436; PMCID: PMC9379840. 
• Clinical Frailty Score  Guide for clinicians - http://thehub.utoronto.ca/family/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/E_Clinical-Frailty-Scale-June_2016.pdf 
• Impact of COPD Exacerbations on patient quality of life - John R. Hurst, Neil Skolnik, Gerald J. Hansen, Antonio Anzueto, Gavin C. Donaldson, Mark T. Dransfield, Precil Varghese, 
• Understanding the impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations on patient health and quality of life,European Journal of Internal Medicine, Volume 73, 2020,Pages 1-6,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejim.2019.12.014. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0953620519304431) 
• Updated Seasonal Influenza Vaccine (NACI statement) - https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/vaccines-immunization/national-advisory-committee-immunization-statement-seasonal-influenza-vaccine-2024-2025.html  
• Updated Fall COVID-19 Vaccine (NACI Statement) - https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/vaccines-immunization/national-advisory-committee-immunization-guidance-covid-19-vaccines-fall-2024.html  
• Pneumoccocal Conjugate 20 vaccine for adults at risk (NACI statement)  https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization/national-advisory-committee-on-immunization-naci/public-health-level-recommendations-use-pneumococcal-vaccines-adults-including-use-15-valent-20-valent-conjugate-vaccines.html 
• RSV vaccine for Older Adults  (NACI statement) -  https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/vaccines-immunization/national-advisory-committee-immunization-summary-statement-prevention-rsv-disease-older-adults.html  
• TDAP every 10 years (Immunize BC) - https://immunizebc.ca/vaccines/tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis-Tdap  
• GSK Arexvy now has 3 seasons of protection:  https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv/gsk-rsv-vaccine-data-suggest-protection-across-3-seasons