Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you for inviting me back again.
We continue to monitor cases of influenza-like illness in first nations communities in collaboration with the provinces and territories. As Dr. Grondin mentioned, there has been an increase in influenza activity nationally, in particular in British Columbia and now in Alberta and the Northwest Territories, and cases in first nations communities have reflected the activity in the provinces and territories. That's certainly been the case now in Alberta.
As we've said before, first nations communities continue to be able to access the appropriate medical equipment, supplies, antivirals, and so on in response to the pandemic. We continue to work with the first nations communities in terms of pandemic preparedness, and now our assessment in terms of our relationship and discussions with the communities is that in most regions almost all communities have a plan and almost 90% have in fact tested those plans.
In terms of the vaccine, we work with the provincial governments because the vaccine is distributed from the provincial governments. Health Canada's first nations and Inuit health branch then enables that vaccine to be distributed to communities. It will be distributed according to the provincial guidelines and will then be available, in most cases, as per seasonal vaccine. However, for H1N1 there will probably be more mass immunization clinics than there are normally. Remote and isolated communities have been included, as you are aware, in national vaccine-sequencing guidelines. In two provinces, I think Manitoba and Saskatchewan, first nations have been named in particular for prioritization.
As with seasonal influenza vaccine, regional differences in timing are to be expected. This will also apply to first nations communities. The precise timing will vary depending on the province and time of distribution, although the methods of distribution are there, as is the plan for occasional challenges in terms of weather. Sometimes the first nations communities will express a preference in terms of timing. I am aware, for example, that some communities across Manitoba have said that they would like it one week as opposed to another week.
Because the distribution is similar to other vaccine distribution in the province, there are therefore well-established processes for handling vaccine and implementing the programs. Community members will be notified of clinics through a variety of means, such as local radio, community bulletins, and posters, but we will be relying on chiefs and community leaders to promote the vaccine. I was in northern Manitoba yesterday and I would describe it as what I think is a partnership between the provincial government, the Government of Canada, and first nations in order to be able to promote the vaccine. It is a community-level activity.
As I've described before, we're now mobilizing health care professionals to support immunization campaigns in the provinces. I know that as of Sunday, certain individuals from Health Canada will be going to provinces to assist in mass immunization.
We continue to work with the Assembly of First Nations and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada to implement the various activities in the joint communications protocol. As you'll be aware, last week the Minister of Health visited the Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan and highlighted that community's success, which I certainly don't think was unique. We had a very positive discussion with members of the community, the chief, council elders, and the pandemic planning committee there.
In terms of citizen readiness, as Ms. Chatigny has outlined, that is ongoing and there are certain products that are tailored for first nations communities. And we're taking steps to ensure that the guide is available in communities, because not all communities have post offices and we want to ensure that first nations communities have this available as well.
Finally, we're making very good progress in planning for the virtual summit together with the AFN, the Assembly of First Nations, and we're having daily meetings with the AFN to plan for that. It should happen in early November and will have various webcast components and web-based content, which will then enable us, at the time that immunization is being rolled out, to answer questions and to continue to promote immunization in first nations communities.
Thank you.