As bird flu spreads, Canada buys 500K vaccines for humans

The Public Health Agency of Canada says the purchase of 500,000 vaccines are a 'proactive' measure to ensure the doses are ready if they need to be used.

Canada has purchased 500,000 doses of a bird flu vaccine for humans.

The vaccines, produced by the British pharmaceutical company GSK, were ordered as a “proactive measure” in case the doses are needed, the Public Health Agency of Canada says.

PHAC says the current risk to the public posed by bird flu remains low, but that the vaccines were ordered to protect Canadians who may be at increased risk of exposure.

The move comes four months after Canada reported its first domestically acquired human case of H5N1 in November, and as global cases continue to rise.

There are concerns the spring migration could also spread the virus.

“As we confront the ongoing global health risks posed by avian influenza, our priority remains protecting the health of people in Canada. The proactive steps we are taking, including securing vaccine doses, reflect our commitment to being prepared for any potential public health threats,” Health Minister Mark Holland said in a statement.

According to the agency, the vaccines will be provided to provinces and territories based on an “equitable and risk-based approach,” with 60 per cent of doses sent to the various jurisdictions while 45 per cent will remain in a federal stockpile.

It will be up to provinces and territories to make decisions on the potential use and administration, with PHAC supporting program monitoring and evaluation.