“Getting immunized remains the single best way that you can protect yourself and your children from a number of potentially serious diseases,” said Minister of Healthy Living and Sport Ida Chong. “Since 2001, the Province has tripled funding for B.C.’s publicly-funded immunization programs, reaching $43 million last year. These programs protect children and adults against 14 specific diseases.”
VIHA Child, Youth and Family Community Health continues to work hard to increase the immunization rate of Vancouver Island residents. This includes taking steps to ensure children under two years old are up to date with all vaccines, and ensuring these same children receive booster immunizations between the ages of four and six, and again in Grades 6 and 9. It is also important that adults are adequately immunized against diseases including tetanus for which a booster is recommended every 10 years.
Vaccines provide protection against diseases including diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, polio, influenza, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox and pneumococcal, meningococcal and human papilloma viruses.
“Immunization is the best defence in the battle to control and eliminate infectious diseases,” said Dr. Richard Stanwick, VIHA’s Chief Medical Health Officer. “High vaccination uptake is crucial in preventing the spread of serious, life-threatening infections. The current outbreak of measles in B.C. is a good example of the importance of getting immunized and making sure vaccinations are up to date.”
VIHA’s immunization rate for children who turned two years-old in 2009 and were up-to-date with all vaccinations is 70 percent, the highest in British Columbia.
“Vaccines work best when everyone is up to date,” said Dr. Stanwick. “Immunization is an effective way to ensure our children, families and communities stay healthy.”
Diseases such as measles, polio and diphtheria have almost disappeared in Canada and around the world as a direct result of immunization programs. Newer vaccines for varicella (chicken pox), pneumococcal and meningococcal diseases are making prevention efforts even more effective.
In British Columbia vaccinations may be given by physicians, pharmacists or nurses, and can also be received by making an appointment at local public health units. For more information, parents should either consult their family physician, local pharmacist or call any public health unit across the region. To find a public health unit nearby, please visit http://www.viha.ca/children/community_resources.htm. More information about National Immunization Awareness Week can be found at www.immunize.cpha.ca.
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Contact:
Val Wilson
VIHA Communications
250-739-6303