Minister reaffirms commitment to strengthening public health during National Immunization Week

Minister of Health and Community Services Tom Osborne today reaffirmed government�s commitment to strengthening public health in recognition of National Immunization Week from April 23-29.

"Now more than ever it is vital for government to invest in public health initiatives that will protect the people of this province from illnesses," said Minister Osborne. "Our recent Budget investments combined with our extensive immunization program for children and youth will go far in ensuring that our people have the best advantage to remain healthy."

Government invested $4.7 million in Budget 2006 to enhance public health and health protection as well as to prepare for potential health emergencies. This investment includes $1.5 million to hire an additional 39 public health nursing positions over the next two years to enhance the administration of immunization programs and increase capacity for mass immunization in the event of an influenza pandemic. Also included is $344,800 to create new positions at the Department of Health and Community Services to increase the province�s ability to provide expertise and support to public health and program development. These new positions include an epidemiologist, infection control specialist, director of disease control, director of public health information management, and deputy provincial medical officer of health.

To support public health nurses at the forefront of the provincial immunization program through professional development, the Department of Health and Community Services is holding the first ever Public Health Nurses Immunization Conference from May 9 � 10, 2006. The conference, celebrating National Immunization Week, will bring together over 150 public health nurses from across the province for presentations on vaccine safety, immunization preparedness for pandemic as well as new vaccines and research.

Government spends $4.8 million annually on the immunization program which includes the annual influenza vaccine and vaccines for children and youth. To strengthen children�s ability to stay healthy and fight illnesses, last year government announced that they would invest $2.8 million annually to add three new vaccines to the immunization program. This includes vaccinations to protect children from pneumonia and ear infections, chicken pox and meningitis.

"National immunization week reminds us that vaccination for children is the best protection against many serious diseases," said Dr. Faith Stratton, chief medical officer for the province. "Parents should talk with their public health nurse or family doctor to ensure that their children�s vaccinations are up to date and they should keep a record of all vaccinations received."

Media contact: Tansy Mundon, Communications, (709) 729-1377, 685-1741

2006 04 27                                 9:20 a.m.