Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to report today that H1N1 clinics in the Northwest Territories have been successfully launched and that the H1N1 vaccine is now being administered to residents in the Northwest Territories.
In the short period of time since the vaccine was officially authorized by the Public Health Agency of Canada last Wednesday, over 2,500 NWT residents have already received their H1N1 shot.
Mr. Speaker, this is a testament to the success of our efforts, both to prepare for, and to communicate the important steps that we are taking to ensure that this vaccine is available to all NWT residents as quickly as possible.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to reiterate that the GNWT has secured enough of the H1N1 vaccine for everyone in the NWT who wants to receive it.
Unlike some southern jurisdictions, we have already received our entire shipment of vaccine and there is no priority list for the delivery of our vaccinations. Everyone in the NWT -- young or old, healthy or with chronic conditions, pregnant women or young men, aboriginal or non-aboriginal -- will be vaccinated as they show up in our clinics.
Our vaccination schedule is posted and updated on the Department of Health and Social Services website. Catch-up clinics will be provided for people who miss the first dates.
Mr. Speaker, it is Health Canada that has the authority for evaluating the safety, efficacy and quality of vaccines to be used by Canadians to help protect and maintain their health. Health Canada
works in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada to protect the health and safety of all Canadians. I can assure all residents of the NWT that the pandemic vaccine developed in response to the H1N1 flu virus has been evaluated and authorized by Health Canada for distribution.
It would encourage anybody who requires additional information about the vaccine, including its ingredients, to call the flu hotline for this information. The number is 1-888-920-3026, and in Yellowknife it’s 920-3026.
Mr. Speaker, we are dealing with the pandemic that is spreading across the NWT and throughout our country. We all have a role to play in protecting ourselves, our families and each other and, in doing so, to do everything we can to prevent the spread of H1N1 in our communities. Getting immunized against H1N1 is a key part of that.
All residents should get the H1N1 vaccine. Only those with lab confirmed cases of H1N1 do not need to receive the vaccine.
Mr. Speaker, while it is an individual choice, I would like to once again encourage all residents of the NWT to be vaccinated for the H1N1 virus. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Ms. Lee. The honourable Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bob McLeod.
