OTTAWA – Amid reports that Vancouver schools are closing with as many as one third of the school children coming down with what could be the H1N1 flu, Liberal MPs expressed concern that Canadians are at risk because of the Harper government’s delay in ordering the H1N1 flu vaccine compared to other countries.

“Canadians asking themselves why they don’t have a vaccine should ask Stephen Harper,” said Liberal Health Critic Dr. Carolyn Bennett. “The earlier the access to vaccines, the more lives will be saved. Stephen Harper and his Health Minister, Leona Aglukkaq must take responsibility for this increased risk to the lives of Canadians.”
 
“Health authorities around the world saw this pandemic coming when it first hit in April and ordered their vaccines in May, but the Conservatives waited until early August.”

The Harper government waited until after August 6 to place their vaccine order with GlaxoSmithKline, delaying Canadian vaccinations until November.  Yet evidence is mounting that other countries placed their vaccine orders much earlier, with China already beginning mass vaccinations by administering its first 40,000 H1N1 flu shots today.

Both the United States and the United Kingdom placed its initial vaccine orders in May.  As of July 24 Novartis International AG had already secured orders for H1N1 vaccines amid discussions with more than 35 governments, including signed contracts with the United States, France, the Netherlands and Switzerland.  The American order alone was a $1 billion order for H1N1 bulk vaccine, expected for delivery in October, well before the vaccine is expected to be available in Canada.

“During a pandemic, even a few days can make all the difference,” said Liberal MP Dr. Kirsty Duncan, an internationally recognized expert in pandemic preparedness. “We’ve been signalling the need for vigilance since day one – but I’m very concerned that the government’s failure to heed our calls will have real consequences.”

“Canada can do better than this incompetent government.”