News Conference with Minister of Health and Chief Public Health Officer

 

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health
October 13, 2009 - 14:15 EDT

Good afternoon, I am joined today by Dr. David Butler-Jones and Dr. Danielle Grondin.  

We are speaking to you from Iqaluit, where we just had a very productive community discussion about vaccine myths. This is a matter we are addressing not only here, but across the country. But it was important for me to come to Nunavut and speak directly to people who have questions about what the fall holds. I will be visiting other parts of the country for the same reason throughout the week. I know that Nunavut is well prepared. The territorial government provides weekly information to communities on H1N1. The Government of Canada is also well-placed to deal with a pandemic. We have built on a plan that has been in place for years, based on strong collaboration with provinces and territories. 

Today I want to provide some information on the H1N1 flu virus from the Government of Canada perspective. This week, across the country we are seeing increased levels of influenza activity. As of October 8, a total of 79 deaths have been reported from Canadian provinces and territories. There has been 1 death reported since our last update. We are aware of the outbreak in British Columbia and officials are responding quickly. Particular areas affected are the South Island, lower mainland, and it is spreading up and into the interior. As of late last week, there were 64 H1N1 hospitalizations.  For the latest updates on this situation, data is listed on the British Columbia Centres for Disease Control website.  Canadians can rest assured that their governments and public health officials have prepared for the return of H1N1 this fall.  Our approach will not change. The federal, provincial and territorial governments are well-prepared to respond to any challenges, and will continue to act to help protect Canadians.

An important part of our efforts involve public education about the H1N1 flu virus.  The Government of Canada is ensuring Canadians have the right information they need to make decisions for themselves and for their families. The public is being asked to digest a lot of information about the pandemic H1N1 flu virus. And as part of our efforts to help people better prepare themselves and their families, I am travelling across the country this week with Dr. Butler-Jones.  We are speaking directly to Canadians about what they need to know to make informed decisions. That’s also why we have published a guide for Canadians to help reduce the impact of the H1N1 influenza virus.  The H1N1 Preparedness Guide provides information Canadians need to protect themselves, their family, friends and co-workers from the H1N1 flu virus.  It also includes advice on caring for someone who is sick, and information to help find additional resources from local sources.  As a reminder, all Canadians can order the guide by calling 1–800–O–Canada, or download it from www.Fightflu.ca.  It will also be widely available across Canada at Canada Post offices in the coming days.  We are on track to begin vaccination the first week of November.

H1N1 can often seem like a complex topic.  And that can result in many myths and misunderstandings. Today, through a community conversation we addressed those myths.  Some people question the safety of vaccines.  But Canadians can rest assured, we are working hard to review clinical trial results in order to ensure the H1N1 vaccine is safe and effective.  Canada’s safety standards are among the toughest in the world.  We would never approve an unsafe vaccine.  Provinces and territories are responsible for the distribution of the vaccine. And remote communities have been identified as a priority for vaccination.  Dr. Butler-Jones will say a few more words on vaccines now.

Thank you.

Dr. David Butler-Jones,  Chief Public Health Officer of Canada

Thank you, Minister.

As the Minister mentioned, the H1N1 vaccine is our priority, and it will be available to everyone who needs and wants it.  The latest medical advice from Canada and around the world is for everyone who can to get the vaccine.  In the case of the H1N1 flu virus, since very few people are immune, it is very likely that without a vaccine, close to 25 to 35 per cent of the population could become ill over the period of a few months.  Vaccines are among the safest tools of modern medicine.  Careful research into the safety of any vaccine is done prior to its widespread use.  Canada’s safety standards are among the toughest in the world.  And while some people may experience some pain and swelling at the site of injection, which only last a day, serious adverse reactions are very rare.  Less than one in every one million people vaccinated with flu vaccine experience a serious adverse reaction.

We remain on target for the H1N1 vaccine to be available starting in early November.  The production of the H1N1 vaccine is ongoing.  The first lots of the vaccine have been bottled and are currently being quality tested, packaged and prepared for shipping to the provinces and territories.  The regulatory review of the H1N1 vaccine is ongoing as well.  Health Canada is reviewing all of the available scientific evidence on the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.  Health Canada is reviewing the first sets of clinical data from Europe and awaiting additional safety and quality data this coming week.  The Minister will authorize the use of the H1N1 vaccine only when there is sufficient evidence to support its safety and effectiveness.

Thank you. Merci.