The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Lela Evans, Minister of Health and Community Services:

Speaker, I rise today to recognize April 26 to May 2 as National Immunization Awareness Week.

Whether strengthening our immunity against seasonal viruses like influenza and COVID-19, or providing vital protection against diseases like measles, meningitis or whooping cough, no other public health intervention has done more to safeguard the health and well-being of a population than publicly funded immunization.

This is why earlier this morning, I was happy to announce new funding through Budget 2026 to expand the publicly funded RSV vaccine which will be available to all infants under six months of age and adults aged 75 years and older.

While we have seen infectious disease outbreaks across the country in recent months, our province continues to maintain some of the highest childhood vaccination rates in Canada.

Speaker, I am proud to say that 98 per cent of two-year-olds are up to date with immunizations in Newfoundland and Labrador.

As we celebrate National Immunization Awareness Week, I want to thank public health and our healthcare workers who provide immunizations, for their tremendous contribution to the health of our residents.

I would also like to thank Newfoundlanders and Labradorians for their outstanding support for immunization.

Your commitment has not only helped protect yourself, but also our most vulnerable members and the wider community.

I encourage everyone to talk to their healthcare provider or public health nurse to stay up to date on immunizations. Remember to make an informed choice by consulting reliable sources.

Let us keep our communities strong and resilient, and our province healthy and safe.