In fact, that is a very interesting question. I have been wondering for years why we have to fight every year to promote the importance of immunization. After all, it is well-known—it has been demonstrated not only in Canada but throughout the world—that immunization is by far the most cost-effective medical method or intervention.
In Canada, regrettable decisions are often made. In this case, the NACI, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, has made a recommendation in favour of this vaccine. However, there is always a time lag after approval. Health Canada and the NACI have given their approval. Then the provinces take their time to implement the recommendations. A simple reason is that they are short of funding.
I believe that the federal government has a role to play. We know that health is a provincial jurisdiction. But if there is one role that the federal government can play, it is to promote immunization, and the provinces all agree on that.
Infectious diseases cannot be detected in the hospital through the use of a scanner. Viruses travel; they do not recognize borders or barriers. We saw this with SARS, the threat of the West Nile virus and the pandemic. The Canadian government therefore has an important role to play in cooperation with the provinces.
The funding was not renewed in March 2010, in the 2010-2011 budget, and we believe that it is time for it to be renewed. And there is support from almost all medical organizations, in particular the coalition on immunization.