National Conference to Focus on Immunization

About 800 physicians, nurses, public health officials, and others are expected to be in Halifax next week for the fourth Canadian National Immunization Conference. The conference, which will take place from Dec. 3 to 6 at the World Trade and Convention Centre, was organized by Health Canada in collaboration with the Canadian Paediatric Society and the Nova Scotia Department of Health.

The conference, Immunization in the 21st Century: Progress Through Education, will focus on truths and myths about immunization, global immunization initiatives and their relevance to Canadians, new vaccines, education of health-care professionals about immunization and sources of information on vaccination.

"Immunization is one of the main reasons--along with safe food, clean water and antibiotics--that Canadians enjoy such good health," said Dr. David Smith, president of the Canadian Paediatric Society. "And Canada is at the forefront of immunization research and development. This conference is an opportunity for people involved in vaccine delivery, promotion, research and education to share ideas and stay current."

Conference highlights include:

• Dr. Bruce Aylward from the World Health Organization will report on the progress toward eradicating polio worldwide. Dr. Ciro de Quadros of the Pan American Health Organization will discuss how measles has been virtually eradicated in the Americas.

• Dr. Noni MacDonald, dean of medicine at Dalhousie University, will deliver a keynote address on why immunization education doesn't receive more attention at medical and nursing schools.

• Dr. Robert Pless of Atlanta's Centres for Disease Control and Prevention will talk about how allegations of links between immunization and chronic diseases--such as autism, diabetes and multiple sclerosis--are unfounded. He will be part of a panel presentation on Myths, Truths, and Logic about Immunization.

• Experts from across Canada and the United States will report on the development of new vaccines against pneumococcal and meningococcal disease, a new flu vaccine that can be administered as a nasal spray and vaccines to protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

• Bruce Wark, a former CBC Radio producer who teaches journalism at University of King's College in Halifax, will be part of a panel discussion on immunization education through the media.

• Dr. Jeff Scott, medical officer of health for Nova Scotia, will chair a discussion on how decisions are made to fund new vaccine programs and how publicly funded immunization programs are evaluated.

The Canadian Paediatric Society is a national professional association, representing 2,000 paediatricians, that promotes quality health care for children and youth.

Health Canada's Centre for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control promotes improvement in population health status in the area of infectious diseases through public health action. Its objectives are to decrease transmission of infectious disease and to improve the health status of those infected.

The conference is sponsored by a number of private sector sponsors, including Aventis Pasteur, BioChem Pharma Inc. and Wyeth-Ayerst Canada Inc.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Additional conference materials are also available on Health Canada's website at www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpb/lcdc/events/cnic2000/index.html or the Canadian Paediatric Society's website at www.cps.ca .

For a copy of the conference agenda, backgrounder on immunization myths and facts and the speakers' biographies, e-mail <[email protected].>

During the conference, media can call 902-421-8626 ext. 216.