Mr. Speaker, since this is World Immunization Week, I rise to underscore the importance of immunization for all Canadians.
Vaccination currently prevents an estimated 2 to 3 million deaths every year from diseases like diphtheria, whooping cough, polio, measles and tetanus. Infectious diseases know no borders, as evidenced by the recent measles outbreak in British Columbia, the largest such outbreak in Canada in the past 30 years.
The government must remain vigilant and continue to fund organizations like the GAVI Alliance, which provides more equitable access to existing vaccines for people in all communities, including the most remote communities.