News Conference with Minister of Health and Chief Public Health Officer

 

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health
September 30, 2009– 11:30 EDT

Good morning, and thank you for participating. I am pleased to provide the latest information on the Government of Canada’s response to the H1N1 flu virus. Today I would like to provide a situation report on both H1N1 activity and on the status of our vaccine. Again this week, across the country we are seeing similar levels of influenza activity. H1N1 infection in Canada remains low to moderate.  There have been a small number of hospitalizations, but these are still within the range of the expected level at this time of year. No deaths have been reported from Canadian provinces and territories since our last update.

We are doing everything we can to prepare for the coming flu season. We are in a good position because all levels of Government and the Canadian medical community have worked hard together preparing a pandemic plan.  And we have learned from our first round with the H1N1 flu virus.  Much has been done to help ensure that Canadians are aware and ready for the Fall flu season. 

You have likely seen our ads on television, heard them on the radio, read them in the paper or even seen them at bus stops. These ads remind Canadians of three simple steps that can’t be repeated enough:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, or use hand sanitizer.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes. 
• If you’re sick, stay home.

Hand washing is one of the best ways you can prevent the spread of infection.  Eighty percent of common infections, including influenza, can be spread by contaminated hands.  And they are spread by human contact.  At this time, however, I would like to emphasize that there is no need to cancel mass gatherings like worship services, festivals, or sports events.  Each organization will have to evaluate the risk of transmission within their community.  For example, if there is an outbreak going on in the community, it may be useful to modify some worship activities involving close contact, such as sharing glasses.  These are just a few simple precautions everyone can take, that go a long way towards preserving the health of our communities. 

Vaccination is another one of our strongest defences against infection.  As we have stated, we are on track to have H1N1 vaccine ready in early November or even sooner.  That means that the vaccine Canadians receive will have undergone clinical trials, that it will be available to those who want and need it, and that it will be distributed through established networks across the country.  I also want to reassure Canadians that scientists across the country are working closely with each other and with international partners to learn more about the H1N1 flu virus.  This information is being shared quickly with provinces and territories so that together, we can adapt to new science and new developments.  Case in point: we are seeing several studies surface on how the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines interact.

While seasonal influenza immunization campaigns usually begin in October in Canada, several provinces and territories have altered their regular seasonal flu plans based on this research.

I would like to invite Dr. David Butler-Jones, our Chief Public Health Officer, to provide detail on these studies now.

Thank you.

Dr. David Butler-Jones, Chief Public Health Officer

Thank you.  As the Minister mentioned, we’re entering the fall and winter flu season.  Influenza can be serious, whether or not it is H1N1.  Seasonal flu can kill between 2,000 to 8,000 Canadians a year.  The single most important health intervention we have is vaccine.  This fall and winter we are preparing for a potential second wave of H1N1, and entering the regular flu season at the same time.

We know that we are in a very new and very fluid situation, and we must be prepared to adapt our approach as necessary.  In particular we know that Canadians have many questions about the relationship between the seasonal flu vaccine and H1N1.  I would like to focus on this today.

Unpublished Canadian studies have found potential evidence of a link between having previously received a seasonal flu vaccine and H1N1 susceptibility.  Given the possible impact on public health, researchers of these studies quickly shared preliminary findings with public health authorities and researchers inside and outside of Canada.  The Government of Canada also took action:

• It advised the World Health Organization of the preliminary findings.
• It had many discussions with the provincial and territorial governments to define the significance and consequences of the preliminary findings. 
• Along with other levels of Government, it requested an international expert panel be convened to evaluate the preliminary findings, and determine whether they should help inform policy on seasonal and H1N1 vaccine administration.

In light of discussions between the federal, provincial and territorial governments on the merit and potential impact of these studies, several provinces and territories have chosen to recommend seasonal flu vaccine for only those most at risk from this strain.  Namely, people over 65 years of age and those in chronic care facilities.  The results of the evaluation by the international expert panel, which we received yesterday, found no important flaws or bias in the methodology of the studies.  In fact, the evaluation supported the decisions provinces and territories have been making on seasonal flu vaccine, based on the preliminary findings of the studies.  Given confidentiality clauses, any further questions on the results of the Canadian studies or the expert panel review should be directed to the researchers.

It is important to note that international research on H1N1 has not yielded similar results to the Canadian studies.  This points to the fact that more research is needed to fully understand what the Canadian findings mean.  In addition to the Canadian studies research from at least 3 other countries is currently being reviewed to provide provinces and territories with the best possible information on which to base the administration of seasonal and H1N1 vaccines.  We remain resolved to keep the people of Canada safe and to act quickly to adapt emerging science to the virus. 

We are equally committed to keeping you apprised of new developments in our fight against H1N1 and encourage all Canadians to stay engaged and informed.  We are in this together.  Everyone has an important part to play.

Thank you.