Pharmacy U Vancouver presenter Ajit Johal: Influenza in Seniors… Worse than you THINK!

Ajit Johal will be presenting at Pharmacy U Vancouver on November 4, 2023.

Filmed in 2018 and starring pharmacist and PharmacyU presenter Ajit Johal, this short “Saturday Night Live” style digital short highlights the devastating impact of influenza on older adults.  Watch this video to set the stage before attending the Influenza and Pharmacy: The Legacy, Impact, and Future Implications session at Pharmacy U Vancouver!

The perfect storm is coming. Canada’s population is ageing, with the number of adults 65+ poised to double in the next 15 years. An older population has an increased risk of “morbidity” from seasonal respiratory viruses like influenza. Where does influenza vaccination rank as an intervention in the vast sea of complex primary care needs for older adults? What is the role of pharmacists, not just as vaccination providers but also as longitudinal care providers supporting healthy aging?

The COVID-19 pandemic has “reinforced” that age remains a key risk factor for severe outcomes from respiratory diseases. Older adults should be prioritized for vaccination and provided with vaccines that elicit a robust immune response. Since 2018, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has provided a strong preferential recommendation for the high-dose influenza vaccination over the standard dose for older adults due to its improved effectiveness and disease burden in this age group. Yearly influenza vaccination with a preferential product is a powerful intervention to mitigate the risk of frailty for older adult patients.

Pharmacists have emerged as the predominant providers of influenza vaccinations in Canada and provide care for older adult patients taking chronic medications. Therefore, they are critical in identifying, educating, and protecting high-risk patients with immunization and other clinical services. Learn about the perspectives of high-risk patients with multiple comorbidities and how you can identify their clinical needs in a community pharmacy setting. Don’t miss this session at PharmacyU Vancouver, which goes beyond the basics of influenza vaccine administration, addressing the complex primary care needs of older adults with chronic medical conditions. 

Attend this unique and interactive session featuring pharmacist and vaccine expert Ajit Johal as he navigates the challenges of “healthy aging.” Witness the devastating impact of frailty on older adult patients, their families, and their caregivers, showcased with the “realism of generative AI.” Join our expert speaker interacting with AI patients in a case-based format to illustrate older adults' challenges in maintaining independence and vitality. Appreciate the impact of influenza on this demographic due to underlying comorbidities and age-related immune system decline. Discover how influenza vaccinations explicitly designed for seniors are a valuable intervention for healthy aging. 

Ajit Johal will be presenting at Pharmacy U Vancouver on November 4, 2023.