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Final Report: National Immunization Strategy
A Report
from the F/P/T Advisory Committee on
Population Health and Health Security (ACPHHS)
to the
Conference of F/P/T Deputy Ministers of Health
Preamble 
Over the past several years, the Advisory Committee on Population Health
and Health Security (ACPHHS) has supported development of a national
approach to addressing immunization issues in Canada. During this period,
numerous meetings and consultations with federal, provincial, and territorial
(F/P/T) public health representatives and other relevant stakeholders
were undertaken to identify and develop collaborative approaches to strengthening
immunization in Canada.
The value of this collaborative work was reflected in the February
2003 First Ministers' Accord on Health Care Renewal, which included direction
to Health Ministers to continue their pursuit of a national immunization
strategy. The 2003 Federal Budget provided $45 million over five years
to assist in the continued pursuit of a national immunization strategy,
as directed by First Ministers. Specifically, Health Canada is to receive
$5 million in 2003-04 and $10 million in 2004-05 and ongoing. This funding
will enable strengthened collaboration with the provinces, territories
and key stakeholders to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of immunization
programs in Canada, but will not be used for vaccine procurement.
The "Final Report: National Immunization Strategy," describes the key
components and supporting activities associated with a national immunization
strategy in Canada. In June 2003, the Conference of F/P/T Deputy Ministers
of Health accepted this document as advice in moving forward with immunization
issues in Canada. It was recognized, however, that not all jurisdictions
would have the necessary funding available to implement the approach
outlined in this document, particularly as it relates to the collaborative
purchase of new vaccines.
To continue working towards a national immunization strategy, Health
Canada will facilitate ongoing discussions with the provinces, territories
and key stakeholders. As part of this process, immunization programming
activities at Health Canada will be expanded or developed, such as enhancing
surveillance of vaccine-associated adverse events and vaccine-preventable
diseases, coordinating common approaches to immunization registries,
enhancing F/P/T vaccine procurement processes, strengthening immunization
research activities, developing approaches to special populations, and
public and professional education.
Continued discussion with federal, provincial and territorial public
health representatives to address current and future immunization issues
will contribute to pursuing a national immunization strategy. Provinces
and territories will continue to be responsible for planning, funding,
and delivering immunization programs to their respective populations
and to contribute to the shared activities that support a national immunization
strategy.
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