British Columbias Publicly-Funded Immunization Programme

British Columbia’s (BC) publicly-funded immunization programme is supported by an effective and efficient evidence-based process for recommending new vaccines and for making adjustments to the existing programme. Background Recent years have seen an increase in the number of new vaccines available on the Canadian market, and increasing divergence in provincial and territorial immunization programmes as jurisdictions must choose among available health interventions with limited funding, incomplete and slow National recommendations and varying decision-making systems. Current National Processes In Canada, the Bureau of Biologics and Genetic Therapeutics Directorate (BGTD), a branch of Health Canada’s (HC) Federal Drug Administration, approve vaccine licensure. Health Canada works to maximize the safety and effectiveness of vaccines available in the Canadian healthcare system. Before a vaccine is considered for approval, sufficient scientific evidence must be collected and demonstrated. If there is sufficient evidence to support safety, efficacy or quality claims, the vaccine is licensed indicating that it is approved for sale in Canada. Subsequent to licensure federally two committees examine the safety and efficacy data. These two committees are the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) and the Canadian Immunization Committee (CIC). NACI is comprised of recognized experts in the fields of pediatrics, infectious diseases, immunology, medical