Thank you.
I am very pleased to be providing you with a brief update on the situation regarding the influenza A (H1N1) virus.
We're now well into the second wave of this pandemic, seeing increases on all fronts. As of yesterday, a total of 198 deaths were reported. In the week ending November 7, the number of reported hospitalizations in one week is close to what we saw in the whole of the first wave. There was a large number of admissions to intensive care units, 136 in one week, compared with a total of 289 over the 18 weeks of the first wave.
These are sharp increases, but fortunately--or unfortunately--they're what we might expect at this point during the pandemic. It's important to recognize that if not for the efforts at all levels to ensure effective prevention and appropriate treatment, the number would be much higher.
Provinces and territories are also well into their vaccination campaigns and are reporting steady progress. For example, Nunavut announced today that they have now immunized about 60% of their population.
There have been several new and important elements from the viewpoint of the federal government since my last update to the Committee.
These include approval of unadjuvanted vaccine, freeing up 1.8 million doses; distribution of additional unadjuvanted vaccine ordered from CSL, our Australian supplier; and continuing distribution of adjuvanted vaccine to provinces and territories.
Since our last update, we have also seen that the vaccine is providing remarkably high immune response in those receiving it. The response is in the range of mid- to high 90%. Normally seasonal flu vaccines provide effective antibody levels in the range of 60% to 80%.
Further, since clinics opened, the Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada, with the collaboration of provinces and territories, the Canadian Paediatric Society, and a network of researchers, have been actively monitoring serious adverse events following immunization with the vaccine. This surveillance began once the campaign began.
The most frequent reported events are minor and include nausea, dizziness, headache, fever, and soreness at the injection site.
There were several reports of allergic reactions. These have onset mostly within minutes of the immunization and have been treated promptly by medical personnel.
Serious adverse events are reactions that could cause life-threatening illness, hospitalization, disability, or death, such as a severe allergic reaction. Amongst the first 6.6 million doses that were distributed, there have been only 36 serious adverse events reported. These included reports of febrile seizures, a seizure brought on by high fever, and anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction.
We take seriously all of the serious adverse event reports, which all trigger an investigation.
It should be noted that these are rare. The rate of serious adverse events following immunization in any campaign is about one for every 100,000 doses distributed. It's important to remember that even though a medical event follows vaccination, it may not have been caused by the vaccine itself. It may have been caused by other factors, such as a pre-existing medical condition.
By the end of this week, 10.4 million doses will have been distributed across the country. As we stated at yesterday's news conference, this is enough to immunize close to one-third of Canada's population. To put it in perspective, this is close to the volume we deliver in a whole regular flu year, and we're only a few weeks in. Our supplier is continuing to ensure that there is much more vaccine coming every week.
Our goals have not changed--namely, to reduce the overall impact of a pandemic--and we remain on track to have enough vaccine available for every Canadian who wants it by the end of December. This puts us in one of the best positions in the world. However, we cannot be complacent. Pandemics are unpredictable. Like any flu season, changes to our approach are necessary as we receive new evidence about the virus and its behaviour. Thanks to our experiences in dealing with outbreaks and our years of comprehensive pandemic planning, we are better able to adapt to these new challenges as they arise.
And if Canadians continue to get vaccinated as they are doing now, as a country, we will avoid a lot of infections.
We have a great deal of work ahead of us still on all fronts. Paramount in our efforts is the push for vaccination.
I look forward to providing further updates as we move forward.
Thank you.