News Release                           For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                  November 6, 2008

Influenza Vaccine is making a Difference

Universal vaccination proves to be an effective public health measure for reducing the annual burden of influenza.

The study by the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES)* found Ontario’s universal influenza immunization program annually prevents 300 deaths, 1000 hospitalizations, 30,000 visits to the emergency department and 200,000 visits to doctors’ offices.

In October 2000, Ontario initiated the world’s first large-scale, universal influenza immunization program to provide free influenza vaccinations for those six months of age and over. Other provinces target certain population groups such as seniors, infants and those with existing medical conditions to receive annual influenza vaccination. The study compares the effect of Ontario’s program with the specific targeted influenza vaccine programs in other provinces.

Using national records, the researchers collected data on influenza vaccination, on all deaths, and on hospitalizations for pneumonia and influenza in all Canadian provinces between 1997 and 2004. They also collected data on emergency department and doctor’s offices visits for Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and Manitoba. Since the introduction of Ontario’s influenza program, the researchers report influenza-associated deaths have decreased by 74% in Ontario but by only 57% in the other provinces combined. Also over the same period, Ontario has recorded a greater decrease than other provinces in use of health care facilities for influenza-associated illness.

By getting an influenza vaccine, you are protecting yourself and those around you as well as reducing the burden of influenza on the health-care system.

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For more information:

Dr Hazel Lynn

Medical Officer of Health
Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 1269

*Reference:

Kwong, Jeffrey C., Stukel, Thérèse A., Lim, Jenny, et al. (2008)  The effect of universal influenza immunization on mortality and health care use, Toronto, Oct. 2008, viewed at

http://medicine.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.0050211