Statement - 148th Annual Meeting of Canadian Medical Association's General Council Closes with Call to Action

HALIFAX, Aug. 26, 2015 /CNW/ - The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) has a long history of supporting immunization and vaccination initiatives and delegates today passed several important motions to support action on that key issue.

One critical resolution passed today was a recommendation that governments authorize schools to require that the immunization status of children be provided. This is to be followed by a conversation between public health officials and parents if children are inadequately immunized.

This sharing of information, of connecting and providing accurate facts and data, is critical. I want to stress that the proposal does not call for mandatory vaccination but rather an approach that allows appropriate public health measures to protect vulnerable children in the event of an infectious disease outbreak.

As we turn our attention to next steps, the CMA will continue to reach out to educate and discuss the issues with parents, particularly parents who may be hesitant to pursue vaccination for their children.

Delegates also provided their unwavering support to the Ontario colleagues by recommending the creation of a binding dispute resolution mechanism to resolve the negotiations impasse with government.

As we have seen elsewhere, it is always through collaboration and working together that we best overcome contentious issues.

Finally, I would just like to wrap up by saying that this year's annual meeting of General Council touched on many critical issues. I am eager to get going on these challenges, the first of which will be to get the issue of a national seniors strategy for Canada on the election agenda.

It's time our federal candidates stepped up to support the evolution needed in our health care system.

• Dr. Cindy Forbes
  President, Canadian Medical Association

SOURCE Canadian Medical Association

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