Thank you Doctor Basrur, and good morning everybody.

I'm pleased to be here today for what I consider to be one of the most important preventive medicine events that we do at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

In fact, I think it's one of the most important events we do - period. And I'm sure our Chief Medical Officer of Health feels the same way.

It's too easy to slough off the flu as something unimportant… just a "bad cold" that we all have to grin and bear.

Well - first of all - the flu isn't a cold. It's a respiratory infection.

And secondly, it's no minor inconvenience: From September 2003 to August 2004 a total of 154 Ontarians died from influenza 'A' or 'B' - the two major strains of flu.

Now to put that in context, there were more than 5,000 reported cases of influenza 'A' and 'B', so the flu is not often deadly, but it is almost always unpleasant.

The fact is that the flu can be a serious illness for many people. But it's generally preventable, and very easily so.

Get a flu shot.

It's just that simple. Get a flu shot. It is the smart thing to do…and it's free!

I recommend it. Your government recommends it. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends it. And our Chief Medical Officer of Health recommends it.

And we've now made it easier than ever to get your shot and to have your children vaccinated. You can get this injection at your doctor's office, at local public health clinics, or employer-sponsored workplace clinics.

There will also be many pharmacies offering flu shots this season. We will soon be launching a week-long clinic blitz at selected pharmacies around the province.

By the way, the flu shot is safe. And whatever you may have heard, it won't give you the flu.

Getting a flu shot should be part of your annual health routine.

The word annual is important there. The flu viruses that affect us change from year to year. Each year scientists develop a new vaccine to work against the strains of influenza that their research shows will be prevalent in the coming flu season.

So I urge everyone to take advantage of the province's free flu vaccination program.

And this year I want to challenge more employers to hold clinics in their workplaces to make it even easier for people.

Business people will know the advantages of this: Holding a clinic so your employees can get vaccinated easily will make for fewer sick employees. It's that simple. Organizing workplace clinics is the smart thing to do.

Employees can be vaccinated where they work - without having to take time off, or lose pay, and, without having to go off-site to their doctor or another location.

The Ontario Public Service will be kicking off its flu shot program in a few weeks. We'll be trying to set a new standard in workplace participation…trying to beat the flu.

One employer that already sets a very high standard in workplace clinics is the Toronto Transit Commission. Rick Ducharme of the TTC is here today, and I'd like to take this opportunity to commend him for the great job the TTC does in holding those clinics.

It's great for your employees, and it's great for the riders who come into contact with those employees.

This is the fifth consecutive year that the Ontario government is offering free flu shots to all residents six months of age or older. This program is the only one of its kind in North America, and it is one we should all be very proud of.

Making this announcement was my first official engagement as Ontario's new health minister almost one year ago.

In the last year I've dealt with major issues like getting our health transformation plan underway. And a very big part of that plan is a renewed focus on - and investment in - public health.

I think the fact that we have a guaranteed supply of vaccines while other jurisdictions are currently experiencing difficulties in obtaining enough is a testament to our commitment, and preparedness, here in Ontario.

And I want to say about those other jurisdictions that if there is anything we can do to help in the days and weeks ahead - if we find ourselves with surplus vaccines that might be useful to others - we will explore ways of doing that.

But…it goes without saying that our first priority, our absolute priority, is providing vaccines to Ontarians. Nothing is going to interfere with that.

So let me reiterate :

Our government is committed to the promotion of health and the prevention of disease.

One step in preventing disease is getting that flu shot. So I urge everyone to just roll up their sleeves…and get that shot.

Before I go I'd like to show you the TV ads…