IQALUIT, Nunavut, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Canadian health officials held a town hall meeting in Nunavut to address myths around vaccine safety.
"It's important that Canadians learn the facts about immunization," Leona Aglukkaq, health minister told the town hall meeting.
"Immunization is a very safe and effective way for Canadians to protect themselves and their families against the virus."
Aglukkaq and Dr. David Butler-Jones, Canada's chief public health officer advised Canadians to looking for information on vaccine-related issues, to refer to credible sources such as the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, provincial and territorial departments of health and/or public health officials.
"The dangers of vaccine-preventable diseases like the H1N1 flu are much greater than the small risk of a serious reaction to a vaccine," Butler-Jones said.
"Vaccines are among the safest tools of modern medicine. They are thoroughly tested and reviewed by companies, regulators and the government before being administered to the public and they are tracked carefully afterwards."
The officials said the H1N1 flu vaccine is expected to be available in Canada late this month or early next.
