Canada’s pandemic vaccine strategy

Abstract

The Public Health Agency of Canada has a mandate to prepare and respond to public health events, including influenza pandemics. The Canadian Pandemic Influenza Preparedness: Planning Guidance for the Health Sector (CPIP) is a guidance document that outlines key health sector preparedness activities designed to ensure Canada is ready to respond to the next influenza pandemic. Key components of health sector preparedness include disease surveillance, laboratory testing and research, health care service and public health guidance, communications and medical countermeasures to mitigate transmission and reduce burden of illness through the use of antivirals and vaccines. Leveraging existing laboratory networks, such as the Canadian Public Health Laboratory Network, and surveillance systems, such as the national influenza surveillance system FluWatch, proved invaluable. [...]there is a need to clearly articulate the roles and responsibilities of federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) governments in the event of any public health emergency. National pandemic planning for the health sector The Canadian Pandemic Influenza Preparedness: Planning Guidance for the Health Sector (CPIP) is an FPT guidance document that outlines how the jurisdictions can work together to ensure a coordinated and consistent health sector approach to pandemic preparedness (2). To address this situation in an equitable manner, national recommendations for the prioritized use of the vaccine will be developed by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) using the Pandemic Vaccine Prioritization Framework until sufficient vaccine is available for all Canadians (approximately one month after initial lots are available) (4). The determined priority groups included people under...