Canada’s bird flu vaccine order ‘the right next step,’ says Atlantic Vet College’s infection control chief [Video]

Veterinarians on Prince Edward Island who have been monitoring the spread of avian influenza for years are encouraged by the federal government’s move to vaccinate people who are most at risk.

Last week, the Public Health Agency of Canada bought 500,000 doses of the vaccine that guards against the virus, which is also known as bird flu and formally as H5N1.

“This is a great step, and it speaks to preparedness,” said Dr. Jason Stull, the chief of infection control at the Atlantic Veterinary College, based at UPEI in Charlottetown. 

“We’re taking this seriously, we’re doing what we need to do so that we’re in the best position so that should this virus change in a way that impacts us greater… that we can absolutely respond to it, so I think that that’s the right next step to do.”