Canadian Public Health Association urges Canadians to get vaccinated against
H1N1: Making complex decisions on immunization simpler with credible
information

OTTAWA , Oct. 29 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) announced today that it is encouraging Canadians to get the H1N1 vaccination. To help people make an informed choice, it is launching a new online portal of information. As an independent and trusted voice in public health, CPHA is ideally positioned to gather the best available information from governments, as well as national and international experts and make it available in a one-stop, easy-to-navigate and clearly written web portal.

"There's a lot of confusion about the H1N1 vaccine and people aren't sure if they should get it or not," explained Dr. Cory Neudorf , Chair, CPHA Board of Directors and Chief Medical Health Officer for Saskatoon Health Region. "The scientific evidence is clear: the important health benefits the vaccine offers far outweigh any potential risks, which is why CPHA urges all Canadians to be immunized against H1N1."

The H1N1 Clearinghouse will help Canadians learn about, understand and make informed choices about the H1N1 vaccine, as well as learn about the virus, the status of the pandemic in Canada , and steps they can take to reduce the spread of the virus.

"There are so many different sources of information currently scattered throughout the web, but the H1N1 Clearinghouse gathers reliable, evidence-based information from government and non-governmental sources in Canada and around the world," explained Dr. Cory Neudorf , Chair, CPHA Board of Directors and Chief Medical Health Officer for Saskatoon Health Region. "The Clearinghouse will help make complex decisions easier for Canadians by adding in the latest news on H1N1, a simple search engine and answers to Frequently Asked Questions written in plain language."

The H1N1 Clearinghouse is available at pandemic.cpha.ca and is directed primarily at the general public. Visitors will find:

    
    -   current information, downloadable resources and links to credible
        external resources from a variety of governments, national and
        international experts;
    -   a database of local, regional and national health authorities from
        which Canadians can receive additional information;
    -   a comprehensive series of FAQs written in plain language; and
    -   a regularly updated listing of news articles which accurately reflect
        the evolving nature of the H1N1 pandemic in Canada.
    

About The Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA)

The Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) is a national, independent, not-for-profit, voluntary association representing public health in Canada with links to the international public health community. CPHA's members believe in universal and equitable access to the basic conditions which are necessary to achieve health for all Canadians. For more information about CPHA, visit www.cpha.ca.

(disponible en français)

For further information: Karen Bennett, Senior Consultant, Delta Media, [phone], [email protected], www.pandemic.cpha.ca