Newsroom

Public health experts to develop Canadian smartphone app to track immunizations


July 4, 2013

Ottawa—The Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA), Immunize Canada and the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) are collaborating to develop a free app for smartphones and other mobile devices that will help Canadians keep track of their immunizations.

This collaboration is supported by funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and builds on the success of a similar iPhone app for Ontario that was developed and released by OHRI in November 2012.

The initiative will expand OHRI’s app to include national immunization recommendations and routine immunization schedules for all provinces and territories with the goal of producing a value-added resource for all Canadian families.

With the guidance of an Ad Hoc expert group that includes representatives from provincial and territorial authorities and professional health associations, the app will also be an effective tool for communicating and promoting information about immunization in order to better protect Canadians from vaccine-preventable diseases.

The collaborators have a strong interest in improving the health of Canadians and bring the necessary know-how to build upon the current capacity of the app to help change the way Canadians manage their health.

About the Collaborators

The Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA)
Founded in 1910, the Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) is the independent voice for public health in Canada with links to the international community. As the only Canadian non-governmental organization focused exclusively on public health, CPHA is uniquely positioned to advise decision-makers about public health system reform and to guide initiatives to help safeguard the personal and community health of Canadians and people around the world. With a diverse membership representing more than 25 professions, a track record of success, a collaborative approach and national reach, CPHA is Canada’s Public Health Leader.

Immunize Canada
Immunize Canada is a national coalition of non-governmental, professional health, and government organizations with the overall aim of increasing awareness about the benefits of immunization and promoting the understanding and use of vaccines as recommended by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).

Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI)
The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) is the research arm of The Ottawa Hospital and is an affiliated institute of the University of Ottawa, closely associated with the university’s Faculties of Medicine and Health Sciences. OHRI includes more than 1,700 scientists, clinical investigators, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and staff conducting research to improve the understanding, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human

For more information about the initiative, please contact:

Ian Culbert
Executive Director, Canadian Public Health Association
613-725-3769, ext. 137
lculbert@cpha.ca

Lucie Marisa Bucci, Senior Manager
Immunize Canada
613-725-3769, ext. 151
immunize@cpha.ca

Paddy Moore
Manager, Communications and Public Relations,
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
613-798-5555, ext. 73687
padmoore@ohri.ca