Halifax Hosts International Immunization Conference

Leading immunization experts and public health staff have come to Halifax for a two-day conference beginning today, Dec. 9, on the trends and challenges of immunization.

The conference is taking place at the Westin Nova Scotian, 1181 Hollis St., in Halifax. Today's presentations begin at 1 p.m.

"Immunization programs are an increasingly important part of health care, as we place more and more emphasis on illness prevention and health promotion," said Health Minister Jamie Muir. "I am pleased that as the host of this valuable initiative, Nova Scotia has drawn together so many great minds."

Among the keynote speakers are:

• Dr. Paul Offit is the chief of infectious diseases at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Henle Professor of immunologic and infectious diseases at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

• Dr. Ronald Gold has had a distinguished professional career as both a researcher and university professor in the United States and Canada. Retired now, Dr. Gold is a medical consultant advising the Clinical and Medical Department of Pasteur Merieux Connaught Canada on its vaccine research program.

• Dr. Noni MacDonald is the dean of medicine at Dalhousie University and a professor of pediatrics and microbiology.

• Dr. Scott Halperin is a professor of pediatrics and associate professor of microbiology and immunology at Dalhousie University and the head of pediatric infectious diseases at the IWK Grace Health Centre.

"This conference is an excellent opportunity for experts in the field of immunization and public health staff to discuss and educate one another on the emerging challenges with immunization and how we can plan to address them," said Dr. Jeff Scott, provincial medical health officer of Nova Scotia.

A broad range of topics are scheduled for discussion, including the emerging challenges of immunization and how to address them; myths about immunization; how we are doing so far and what is needed for the future; and, the trends and achievements of new vaccines.

Pharmaceutical companies Connaught Canada, Merck Frosst, SmithKline Beechham and BioChem Pharma have joined the Nova Scotia Department of Health and regional public health services in sponsoring the event.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Keynote speakers are available for interviews at the conference. As well, a media information table and interview room will be on-site.