Preparing for the 2020—2021 influenza season

de St. Maurice, Annabelle; Martin‐Blais, Rachel; Halasa, Natasha

The COVID‐19 pandemic has altered health seeking behaviors and has increased attention to non‐pharmaceutical interventions that reduce the risk of transmission of respiratory viruses including SARS‐CoV‐2 and influenza. While the potential impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on influenza is not fully known, in the Southern hemisphere influenza infection rates appear to be very low. Influenza vaccine efficacy for 2019–2020 season was comparable to prior season and influenza vaccine recommendations for pediatric immunizations remain similar to prior years. Influenza treatments continue to include neuraminidase inhibitors as well as baloxavir for treatment and in some instances prophylaxis.