Question Period Notes
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NACI may make recommendations that are broader or narrower than the conditions of use approved by Health Canada (known as ‘off-label’ recommendations). As regulator, Health Canada rigorously evaluates safety and efficacy data from clinical trials before authorizing vaccines, but does not dictate practice of medicine or make recommendations on how the vaccines should be used for public health impact.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) manages the National Emergency Strategic Stockpile to support provinces and territories during emergencies. To bolster the response to COVID-19 and address the procurement and distribution needs in support of frontline health care, PHAC works with federal partners including Health Canada, National Research Council, Global Affairs Canada, the Department of National Defense, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Statistics Canada, and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
COVID-19 has highlighted new and existing issues that make it a challenge to collect, access, share, and use health data for the benefit of Canadians. 'Health data' includes public health, health system and population health data. In the May 2021 Office of the Auditor General report Pandemic Preparedness, Surveillance, and Border Control Measures, it was recommended that Canada create a Pan-Canadian Health Data Strategy (PCHDS) to address foundational issues related to the collection, access, sharing and use of health data in Canada. In his mandate letter released December 16, 2021, the Minister of Health was tasked with working with the provinces and territories to create a world-class health data system for Canada. In Budget 2022, ensuring access to reliable, comparable health data was identified as a key element to strengthen our health care system. To achieve this, the Government of Canada is following the advice of the Auditor General and creating a PCHDS through federal, provincial and territorial partnership with advice from an Expert Advisory Group. The EAG published its third and final report for the Government of Canada on May 3, 2022.
Consistent with the December 14, 2021 Economic and Fiscal Update, the Government is proposing to launch a COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination Fund to support provinces and territories for costs to implement a COVID-19 proof of vaccination credential program.
The Office of the Auditor General of Canada conducted a performance audit focused on whether the Public Health Agency of Canada was prepared to respond to a pandemic.
The Government of Canada has established a pan-Canadian no-fault Vaccine Injury Support Program (VISP). The program ensures that all people in Canada who have experienced a serious and permanent injury as a result of receiving a Health Canada authorized vaccine, administered in Canada, on or after December 8, 2020, have access to fair and timely financial support. The new VISP brings Canada in line with a growing number of countries that have such programs in place, including all G7 counterparts.
What is the Public Health Agency of Canada doing to ensure there is sufficient mRNA vaccine supply to complete current booster and pediatric campaigns for Canadians and to respond to COVID-19 variants of concern?
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