OTTAWA - The federal government is putting up an extra $2.7 million to test a vaccine meant to combat the next wave of H1N1 flu cases this fall.
Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said the funding is on top of $10.8 million the government poured into swine flu research this summer.
The cash will help fast-track the approval process for the vaccine, she told a media conference call Thursday.
Aglukkaq also said the government is organizing a major conference next week in Winnipeg for health-care professionals from across Canada on how to handle the expected surge in cases and protect themselves.
Federal health officials announced that four more deaths can be attributed to the swine flu virus, bringing to 71 the total number of related deaths across the country.
More than 80 scientists at 30 public health centres across the country are working on research related to countering the swine flu, which emerged last spring in Mexico.
"What this means is that Canada will have an enhanced research network during the influenza pandemic," said Dr. David Butler-Jones, the federal government's chief public health officer.
"This network will, for example, be able to provide us with timely information on the mass immunization program expected this coming fall and winter. The funding announced today will help double the number of clinical trial sites from five to 10 so the vaccine can be tested on a wider variety of populations."
He said clinical trials for the H1N1 vaccine are still on track for early this fall and the new cash will be aimed at ensuring the safety and effectiveness of the immunization.
The vaccine is expected to be available in November, but it won't be produced in major quantities until January.
Aglukkaq made a special point of noting that the federal government, in conjunction with the provinces, had stockpiled anti-viral drugs at First Nations communities and was paying particular attention to the plight of aboriginals.
That follows criticism last spring that federal officials were slow in reacting to the outbreak of the virus in many native and northern communities.
"I want to assure you that First Nations are receiving the care they need based on appropriate guidelines," said Aglukkaq, an Inuit who represents the northern territory of Nunavut.
She said the vaccine will be available to native communities, through the provinces and territories, on the same basis as non-native cities, towns and villages.
