Come the end of October and early November, flu vaccination programs will be in full swing. Although for most healthy adults and children the disease can be weathered with good outcomes, those with chronic disease, the very young and the elderly may not do so well.

A new study, Trends in influenza vaccination in Canada, 1996/1997 to 2005 published in the October 2nd issue of Health Reports, shows that although vaccination rates are increasing in Canada, those in most need of the vaccine do not seem to be following this trend.

• Dr. Jeff Kwong, MD, MSc, CCFP, FRCPC, epidemiologist and public health/family physician (UHN) Toronto Western Hospital, ICES scientist and lead author of this study.