Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/Flaws+Canada+swine+vaccination+plan+CMAJ/1947559/story.html
Flaws in Canada's swine flu vaccination plan: CMAJ
Canwest News ServiceAugust 31, 2009 2:01 PM
OTTAWA ? The Harper government's vaccination strategy to fight the swine flu pandemic is flawed, says a new editorial published on Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
The editorial says the government's existing plan to modify the standard vaccine with a substance to boost the immune system of the people who receive it could leave high-risk groups unprotected as they wait for the modified vaccine.
"Given current evidence, it seems a poorer choice than providing coverage to high-risk groups as early as possible," said the article, written by Dr. Paul Hebert, the CMAJ editor-in-chief and Dr. Noni MacDonald, the public health section editor.
"Time is running out. Only by providing fast-track standard vaccine might high-risk groups be protected in a timely way, while the general public awaits arrival of the (modified) adjuvant vaccine."
The editorial notes that other countries, including Australia and the United States, will license the vaccine more quickly.
"Health Canada seems to have forgotten that while being first with a plan is good, being fast to vaccinate will save lives," said the editorial.
Flaws in Canada's swine flu vaccination plan: CMAJ
Canwest News ServiceAugust 31, 2009 2:01 PM
OTTAWA ? The Harper government's vaccination strategy to fight the swine flu pandemic is flawed, says a new editorial published on Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
The editorial says the government's existing plan to modify the standard vaccine with a substance to boost the immune system of the people who receive it could leave high-risk groups unprotected as they wait for the modified vaccine.
"Given current evidence, it seems a poorer choice than providing coverage to high-risk groups as early as possible," said the article, written by Dr. Paul Hebert, the CMAJ editor-in-chief and Dr. Noni MacDonald, the public health section editor.
"Time is running out. Only by providing fast-track standard vaccine might high-risk groups be protected in a timely way, while the general public awaits arrival of the (modified) adjuvant vaccine."
The editorial notes that other countries, including Australia and the United States, will license the vaccine more quickly.
"Health Canada seems to have forgotten that while being first with a plan is good, being fast to vaccinate will save lives," said the editorial.