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 effective immunization programs, important reductions have been achieved in the incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases. Globally, smallpox has been eradicated and efforts are currently directed at the eradication of polio and elimination of measles. Universally recommended vaccination has been hailed as one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century and credited with saving more lives than any other intervention. Moreover, immunization programs, particularly those with standardized immunization schedules, have proven to be highly cost effective and, in some cases, cost saving.
As the incidences of vaccine-preventable diseases are decreasing, the attention of some of the public may shift from the disease to potential adverse events following immunization. This shift in focus has resulted in some cases in individuals questioning the need for immunization, leading to lower vaccine coverage and resurgence of some diseases. In Canada the resurgence of measles, mumps and whooping cough, in particular in 2010-2013, has highlighted the need for a continuation of immunization programs that achieve high immunization coverage.
The low incidence of vaccine-preventable diseases and their associated mortality in Canada is a result of successful vaccination programs, and in addition to achieving high rates of immunization coverage, for Canadians to receive the greatest possible benefits from immunization it is essential that vaccines and vaccination programs continue to be monitored and evaluated on an ongoing basis.
Mr. Speaker, later today I’ll have questions for the Minister of Health and Social Services about specific information regarding the Northwest Territories on our immunization programs and uptake on vaccines. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mrs. Groenewegen. Member for Hay River North, Mr. Bouchard.
