SASKATOON – The Government of Canada announced Friday close to $1 million in funding to enhance flu vaccine research and development. Funding is being provided to the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac) in Saskatoon.
Health officials say advanced research is critical to ensure the country has the ability to develop effective vaccines to combat these ever-changing influenza viruses.
Scientists at VIDO-InterVac are expected to strengthen influenza vaccine development in the country.
The government is providing the grant of $997,475 over five years to the research and development centre at the University of Saskatchewan.
“This funding will help solidify VIDO-InterVac as a world-leading centre of vaccine expertise and help our scientists conduct important new influenza research that will directly contribute to better public health in Canada,” said Dr. Andrew Potter, VIDO-InterVac CEO and director.
Every year, millions of Canadians get sick from influenza and about 3,500 die, according to the federal Ministry of Health.
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