NLIS 2
February 8, 2005
(Health and Community Services)
 

Three new vaccines to boost children�s health in Newfoundland and Labrador

Children and adolescents in this province will have more protection against infectious diseases thanks to the addition of three new vaccines to the public immunization program, Health and Community Services Minister John Ottenheimer announced today.

"We have extended our immunization program to further enhance children�s ability to stay healthy and fight illness and death from certain serious infectious diseases," said Minister Ottenheimer. "These new vaccines will ensure our children and adolescents are safer today."

The newest vaccines protect against pneumococcal (pneumonia and ear infections) disease, varicella (chicken pox) and meningococcal (meningitis) disease. With these new vaccines, children will now be armed with vaccines to protect against 12 diseases such as polio, hepatitis B, measles, mumps and rubella.

Government will invest $6.5 million over three years to administer the new vaccines from funding provided through the federal government�s Public Health and Immunization Trust, established to support a national immunization strategy. This is in addition to the $3 million the province spends annually on its immunization program.

"Vaccines are still our first and best line of defence to reduce the impact of diseases in children," said Dr. Faith Stratton, Provincial Medical Officer of Health. "This investment in public health not only benefits our children, but also helps alleviate wait lists in doctors� offices and emergency rooms and reduces the rate of hospitalization of children and adolescents for treatment of these diseases."

Dr. Minnie Wasmeier, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Public Health Association, congratulated Minister Ottenheimer and his government for expanding the publicly-funded immunization program. "This is a great public health initiative that is fully supported by the association. Immunization is one of the most cost-effective means of protecting children against preventable diseases and keeping them out of hospital. This shows a commitment to keeping people healthy not just treating them when they are sick," said Dr. Wasmeier.

"This is good news, not just for the people in our province but for all of Canada, as we continue to work for consistency across the country as part of the national immunization strategy," said Dr. Allison, Co-Chair of the Canadian Coalition for Immunization Awareness and Promotion. "These additions to the vaccine schedule are an essential step in prevention of disease, and we look forward to continued support for ensuring our health."

The Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association (NLMA) also said today�s announcement is in keeping with the recommendations of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization they endorsed earlier this year at the NLMA�s annual general meeting.

"I am very pleased that government has acted on the recommendations of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization and added these vaccines to the tools we have for prevention," said Dr. Andrew Major, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association.

The new vaccinations will be given as part of children�s regular immunization program administered by public health in the regions. "Catch-up" programs will also be offered in kindergarten, grade four and grade nine. Parents can call their regional Health and Community Services office for further information on childhood and adolescent immunization.

Media contacts:
Carolyn Chaplin, Health and Community Services, (709) 729-1377, 682-5093
Dr. Faith Stratton, Chief Medical Officer of Health (709) 729-3430
Martha Muzychka, ABC, Health and Community Services St. John�s Region, (709) 752-4136

2005 02 08                10:30 a.m.