Canada will offer about five million doses of H1N1 flu vaccine to Mexico in order to fulfill immediate pandemic vaccine requirements,

As reported cases of H1N1 flu are decreasing in Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada decides that it can offer the doses with no worry about scarcity of vaccine here.

While talking to reporters, federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said, “The Canadian response to Mexico is testimony to the special relationship that exists between Canada and Mexico.”

Further, the Mexican government ordered vaccine from different manufactures, but none will be able to supply it until the end of the month. The emergency Canadian shipment will start arriving this week.

The 5 million doses are not for free, said Public Health Agency official Caroline Grondin: the Mexicans will pay to replace then in Canada’s stockpile.

While talking to reporters, Grondin said, “There are a number of options being explored for dealing with surplus vaccine. These will be announced when we are confident we have enough vaccine to meet current needs and future contingencies.”

Further, he said, “We cannot predict what H1N1 flu activity will look like over the coming weeks, and therefore we continue to encourage Canadians to get vaccinated. We will keep enough H1N1 flu vaccine in Canada to immunize everyone who needs and wants it now, and over the next months.”