National Conference to Focus on Immunization

http://www.newswire.ca/releases/November2002/29/c8026.html

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Health Canada

Attention News/Health Editors:

National Conference to Focus on Immunization

    OTTAWA, Nov. 29 /CNW/ - About 500 physicians, nurses, public health
officials, and other guests are expected to arrive in Victoria next week for
the fifth Canadian National Immunization Conference, December 1 to 3, 2002,
organized by Health Canada and the Canadian Paediatric Society.
    The conference, Canada's National Immunization Strategy: From Vision to
Action, will feature discussions on a national immunization strategy for
Canada, including speakers who will describe what is being done globally and
what other countries are doing in this area. Other sessions will focus on new
vaccines, vaccine safety, research and education, and immunization information
resources.
    "Immunization saves more lives and prevents more suffering every day than
any other medical intervention," said the Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister
of Health. "Health Canada is working with the provinces and territories and
our national immunization partners on the development of a national
immunization strategy. This conference will provide a forum for discussion on
the challenges in developing and implementing this strategy."

    Among the conference highlights:

    - Mr. Kul Gautam, the Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, will deliver a
      keynote address on the need for a global immunization strategy.
    - A presentation by Dr. Monika Naus of the B.C. Centre for Disease
      Control on new vaccines and a national immunization strategy.
    - A session on advocating for immunization which will include:
        - A discussion around the ethical issues around vaccine equity.
        - The presentation of the first Dr. John Waters Award. Dr. Waters was
          a leader in the field of public health in his home province of
          Alberta and across Canada.
    - A session on vaccine safety, including an examination of common
      misconceptions and information gaps among professionals and the public.
    - Breakout sessions on influenza surveillance and vaccine programs,
      patients with special needs, and an overview of the sixth edition of
      the Canadian Immunization Guide.

    The first Canadian National Immunization Conference took place in Quebec
City in 1994. The Conference occurs every two years to educate and inform
health care providers on issues surrounding immunization and infectious
diseases.
    "Even though vaccines have helped to limit and eradicate disease, there
are parts of the world where children still die from vaccine-preventable
diseases, like measles," said Dr. Doug McMillan, president of the Canadian
Paediatric Society. "Indeed, even in Canada, there are still children who are
not protected against all vaccine-preventable diseases."
    Also taking place during the conference is the announcement of the
children's National Immunization Poster Contest winner, as well as the launch
of the 2nd edition of Your Child's Best Shot: A parent's guide to vaccination,
a Canadian Paediatric Society publication.

    The conference also includes oral and poster presentations on new
research in the area of immunization and infectious diseases, including:

    - A study on mothers' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about
      immunization.
    - An examination of varicella complication rates in First Nations
      children.
    - A look at the impact of mass immunization campaigns.
    - A survey of paediatric nurses' attitudes and knowledge about routine
      immunization.
    - A look at the epidemiological and economic impact of pneumococcal
      paediatric disease in Canada.

    The Canadian Paediatric Society is a national professional association,
representing more than 2,000 paediatricians, that advocates for the health
needs of children and youth.
    The Centre for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control of Health Canada
promotes improvement in population health status in the area of infectious
diseases through public health action. Its objectives are to decrease
transmission of infectious disease and to improve the health status of those
infected.

    Backgrounder: Questions and Answers about Vaccination (34480)

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    Egalement disponible en français
    2002-81




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For further information: Media Inquiries: Paige Raymond Kovach, Health 
Canada, (613) 957-1803; Melissa Jewett, Canadian Paediatric Society, 
(613) 526-9397, ext. 234; On site (December 1-3): (250) 361-1077 and 
(250) 361-1078; Public Inquiries (Health Canada): (613) 957-2991; Additional 
conference materials are also available on the Internet. Please visit the 
Canadian Paediatric Society's website at www.cps.ca or Health Canada's website 
at www.hc-sc.gc.ca/pphb-dgspsp/cnic-ccni/index.html

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