Jane Groenewegen

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask the Minister if, in his knowledge and experience, there’s more that we could be doing to promote awareness and uptake on vaccination and immunization. Is there more that we should or could be doing as the Government of the Northwest Territories? Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Abernethy. Next on the list for general comments I have Mr. Moses.

Now to the issue of whether vaccination immunization is mandatory or voluntary.

At what point does this immunization occur? Now, from having had children myself, I know that the public health nurse, in those days, was involved in this. But how do we track or follow or determine what the uptake of vaccination immunization is and who delivers the actual service? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Minister Abernethy. For general comments, next on my list I have Mr. Menicoche.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the last 50 years, immunization has saved more lives than any other health measure. It has been said that vaccination is the best way for you and your family to prevent very serious illnesses and diseases. When you get immunized, you are protecting yourself and others from serious diseases. Some vaccine-preventable disease could lead to disability or death and can be avoided by getting the immunizations you need on time.

The objectives of immunization programs are to prevent, control, possibly eliminate or eradicate vaccine-preventable diseases. In countries with...

Thank you, Minister Abernethy. Next on the list I have Mr. Dolynny.

Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. Ms. Bisaro indicated she was going to make comments and she did not need a response from the Minister, so if she is agreed, I will move on to the next person for general comments, and that would be Mr. Blake.

Thank you, Minister Abernethy. There’s been some discussion around the best way to go and I think the consensus of the Regular Members at our last discussion was that they would like to have one set of general comments with the response from the Minister in between before the next Member speaks. So I know we did try that three and one on one department, but it would appear that people would rather have their comments responded to individually. Thank you, Mr. Abernethy.

Thank you, Minister Abernethy. I will now open the floor for general comments on the Department of Health and Social Services. Mr. Yakeleya.

Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. Minister Abernethy.