It's Time for a National Immunization Strategy

Abstract

Canada needs to develop and implement a national immunization strategy to provide optimal protection for vaccine-preventable diseases for children, adolescents and adults. Although the federal government has a mandate to ensure that access to health care is equitable across the country, it is the mandate of provincial governments to actually provide health care services. Thus, while the federal government makes recommendations for the optimal use of various vaccines through the publications of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, the provincial governments must develop and fund their individual immunization programs. With a national immunization strategy that is endorsed by the federal and provincial governments, the following could occur: harmonization of childhood immunization schedules across the country; efficient introduction of new vaccines; the ability to enhance the monitoring of vaccine use and adverse events; and improvements in the ability to access readily vaccine products in the most cost effective manner. A national immunization strategy would also provide opportunities for vaccine and immunization research, and for improved education of health care providers and the general public.