Cambridge Bay (Mar 03/03) - A vaccine for infants that fights seven strains of lung disease has supporters all across Nunavut's health system.

Nunavut and Alberta are the only jurisdictions that offer it free to parents for their infants, but according to some it has hidden dangers.

"I would definitely give it to my baby," says Donna Flood, director of health programs for Kitikmeot region.

Nunavut babies are eight times more likely to catch pneumococcal diseases that affect their breathing -- which is two times more likely than babies in the Northwest Territories.

Prevnar attacks seven strains of respiratory disease, including three of the four most common.

An adult version -- Pneumobax -- attacks 23 strains of disease.

Health officials love Prevnar for this multi-purpose prevention.

"We're proactive to apply this as a standard immunization for infants," Flood says. "It's like getting a shot for the measles, mumps, etc."

People concerned about Prevnar warn that it contains aluminum, said to damage the brain, nervous system and immune system.

Prevnar does contain some aluminum sulphate.

"A lot of vaccines do have aluminum, but the amount in Prevnar is much smaller than in other infant vaccines," explains Geraldine Osborne, chief medical officer of health for Nunavut.

The drug has been on the market for two years and is expensive. One shot is $70.

Infants are given a series of four shots: the first at two months, then again at four, six and 15 months, Flood explains.

That adds up to $280 for parents not living in Nunavut.

"We're firmly committed to it," adds Osborne, noting that not only does it mean a lot to Nunavut to prevent serious illness such as meningitis in Nunavut, but it is approved for use by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The anti-all-things-aluminum lobby group's arguments are old hat, Osborne says.

"WHO monitors Prevnar closely and no serious side effects have been noticed," Osborne says.

That's not to say there can be some side effects.

Babies may develop a redness at the injection site, or they may seem "fussy" for a day or two.

While health nurses are happy to inject babies with Prevnar, Flood insists parents are consulted every step of the way.

"All immunizations require consent, usually on the first visit to the health centre," Flood says.

"We always ask later if there have been any side effects, but there usually aren't any."

But better than a shot in the arm, Osborne has two, more effective, ways to combat respiratory disease in babies.

"Breast feeding longer than two months and zero exposure to tobacco smoke," says the chief medical officer. "But those are two things I can't control."