Ottawa should cover more swine flu vaccine costs: provinces
September 17, 2009
THE CANADIAN PRESS
The provinces are looking for more help from the federal government in battling swine flu.
Provincial health ministers, who are meeting in Winnipeg, say there could be huge costs if there is a big swine flu outbreak this fall or winter.
Manitoba's Theresa Oswald says a big outbreak could require extra medical professionals or a "massive" expansion of intensive care services.
The provincial ministers are also scheduled to meet with their federal counterpart, Leona Aglukkaq.
Oswald says she would like to see Ottawa handle up to 90 per cent of the cost of a major outbreak, like it does for natural disasters such as floods.
The ministers are also discussing flu vaccination timelines with the hope that the vaccine could be issued sometime in early November.
thestar.com
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