Susan Leblanc Asks What will Goverment do to Ensure Measles Vaccine Supply

SUSAN LEBLANC: Speaker, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Robert Strang recently urged Nova Scotians to check their immunization status, and for many to update their measles vaccination. Now we’re hearing that pharmacies and primary care providers are overwhelmed by demand. There are simply not enough doses of the vaccine. Kari Ellen Graham, a pharmacist in Halifax, has said, “The bottom line is you could try your pharmacy, although most pharmacies are out . . . a lot of doctor’s offices are now out.” How are Nova Scotians supposed to protect themselves and follow the advice of the Chief Medical Officer if there are no shots available?

HON. MICHELLE THOMPSON: First of all, I want to clarify and go on the record that there are shots available. There is MMR vaccine in this province. There is no shortage. Because of the demand, the orders that physicians and pharmacists have, they’ve gone through those orders more quickly. It’s simply reaching back out to the BioDepot, explaining that they are out of the vaccine, and ordering more.

SUSAN LEBLANC: It would be great if people could access the vaccine through mobile health units in cases where pharmacies and primary care providers are not a viable option, but according to Nova Scotia Health Authority’s website, many parts of Nova Scotia do not have mobile immunization clinics scheduled until April, and many are not even offering the measles vaccine. Measles cases across Canada are on the rise- we’ve heard this. Nova Scotians should not have to wait several more weeks to access the recommended vaccination. What is this government doing to ensure that all Nova Scotians have access to the vaccinations they need when they need them?

MICHELLE THOMPSON: Nova Scotians have a variety of different ways in which they can access vaccines. They can access them through the mobile clinics, they can access them through primary care providers, they can access them through pharmacists. There are a variety of different ways. There is no shortage. There is high demand, which has caused offices and folks to go through their supply, but there is no shortage of the vaccine. If individuals require more vaccine- whether they have a pharmacy or whether they have an office- they simply need to reach out to the BioDepot and increase their supply.

High dose flu vaccine for seniors question

Yesterday I asked the Minister of Health why her government doesn't cover the cost of the high dose flu vaccine for seniors. View the video and read our exchange below!

“SUSAN LEBLANC: My question is for the Minister of Health and Wellness. Flu season has begun, and Public Health is urging everyone to get their flu shot, especially people over 65. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization says that seniors should get the high-dose flu vaccine, but many will not because of the cost, which can be $80 or more. My question for the minister is simple: Will her government cover the cost of the high-dose flu vaccine?

HON. MICHELLE THOMPSON: High-dose flu vaccination is available in congregate settings, high-risk settings, this year as it has been for the past number of years.

We do feel and know from science that the regular flu shot, which all of us get, is effective in the community, and we will continue to publicly fund that flu vaccine this year.

SUSAN LEBLANC: Mr. Speaker, seniors in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, New Brunswick, P.E.I., Yukon, and the Northwest Territories will have their highdose flu vaccine for free. The average cost of an influenza hospitalization in Canada is over $10,000 and in 2020, it killed almost 6,000 Canadians. Why does the minister believe that seniors in Nova Scotia don’t deserve as much access to the high-dose flu shot as seniors in the other provinces and territories?

MICHELLE THOMPSON: Again, the evidence would show that the regular flu season vaccination covers influenza well. We have also made it more available, actually, in communities this Fall by making sure that we partner with our pharmacy partners. You can now book and plan your immunization online. We continue to support seniors in this province, and we will offer high-dose flu shots in long-term care and other high-risk settings.”