Web Message from Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health - 8^th Annual Canadian Immunization Conference

As Canada’s Minister of Health, I am pleased to welcome you to the 8th Annual Canadian Immunization Conference. The themes of this year’s conference are Innovation, Education and Partnership, which highlight some of the essential elements needed to continue to build upon the successful history of immunization in Canada.

Through the National Immunization Strategy (NIS), the Government of Canada has demonstrated its ongoing commitment to immunization. Since the strategy was launched in 2003, we have worked with our provincial and territorial partners, as well as key stakeholders, to improve immunization programs across the country.

The last conference we held on this important issue was in 2006. Since then, our government has made significant progress in providing new vaccines to Canadians. Budget 2007 committed $300 million to provinces and territories to support the development and implementation of human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization programs. Since then, all provinces have introduced programs to provide young girls this life-saving vaccine. Great progress is being made towards extending HPV immunization programs into the North.

Immunization is a shared responsibility in Canada. Provincial and territorial governments have consistently risen to the occasion to collaborate on strategies to provide effective immunization programs to Canadians. Our Government is committed to providing our partners with the information and tools they need to continue to improve immunization.

The Canadian Immunization Conference is an excellent venue to share both successes and challenges in the constantly changing field of vaccinology. The launch of the Immunization Competencies for Health Professionals at this year’s conference also demonstrates that governments, healthcare professionals and non-government organizations support continuing education in the field of immunization.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, thank you for your participation in this important conference. Immunization has saved more lives than any other public health intervention in the last 100 years. By working together, I know we can do even more to protect the health of Canadians.

Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of Health
Government of Canada