Liberal Backgrounder - H1n1 Timeline

April 23, 2009 New strain of flu virus surfaces in Mexico

Just the facts: an H1N1 Timeline

April 27, 2009 Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff demands government come up with a plan to deal with H1N1. Min. Aglukkaq tells the HoC that, “Canada is well positioned to deal with the issue. We have a national plan for disease outbreaks and we are following it.” April 28, 2009 Minister Aglukkaq assures the HoC that the government “...plan included the stockpiling of vaccines for provinces and territories." May 19, 2009 Canadian scientists map genome sequence of H1N1 virus. May 2009 The United States and U.K. place order for vaccine. July 7, 2009 WHO recommends massive vaccine response, with pregnant women being given a non- adjuvented version of the shot. July 24, 2009 Novartis International AG had already secured orders for H1N1 vaccines amid discussions with more than 35 governments, including signed contracts with the United States, France, the Netherlands and Switzerland. August 6, 2009 Canada orders vaccine, three months after the United States places its first order. August 12, 2009 Leona Aglukkaq tells Health Committee, “No matter what comes our way this fall, we are well prepared.” September 2, 2009 Liberal Industry Critic Marc Garneau sounds the alarm on timing of vaccine, “What good is a vaccine if it comes too late to help people?” September 4, 2009 Canada finally orders unadjuvented version of the vaccine for pregnant mothers -- 2 months after WTO reccomendation. October 5, 2009 CTV reports that while US vaccinations are already underway, testing on the Canadian vaccine hasn’t even started. October 20, 2009 Minister Aglukkaq tells the HoC, “...we are on schedule with the vaccine rollout. As the Chief Public Health Officer has stated, the vaccine will be widely available to all Canadians in early November.” October 23, 2009 Canada begins vaccination, weeks after China, Australia, the United States and Sweden. October 26, 2009 Massive lineups, shortages, delays. Public health officials overwhelmed in many regions, with patients being turned away. October 29, 2009 GSK informs government that vaccine deliveries will be cut dramatically in order to accomodate the production of the non-adjuvented version. October 29, 2009 Tony Clement tells the HoC, ...”there has been no delay. Every week, the provinces are receiving approximately 2 million doses. The total is now 6 million doses. Next week, another 3 million doses will be made available for Canadians and their health. October 30, 2009 Taken by suprise, provincial health authorities announce that vaccine will not be available to general population, as regions ration scarce supply of the vaccine. November 2, 2009 Aglukkaq attempts to shift blame for the disaster onto GSK and Provinces, telling CTV that “Provinces and territories deliver health care.” She fails to mention that it’s a federal responsibility to deliver the vaccine.

Contact : Press Office

Office of the Leader of the Opposition

(613)-995-5904