News Release                              For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                         April 23, 2009

Celebrate Immunizations - A Cornerstone of Public Health

National Immunization Awareness Week, April 25-May 2, reminds Canadians of the profound impact that immunizations have on public health. Immunization is recognized as the single most cost-effective health investment, having saved more lives in Canada in the last 50 years than any other health intervention.

Many of the vaccine preventable diseases that were leading causes of death at the beginning of the 20^th century now account for less than 5% of all deaths. While these figures are a huge achievement, we must remain vigilant of vaccine preventable diseases and ensure our own and our family’s immunizations stay current to the routine Ontario immunization schedule. Recently, we have seen cases of pertussis and mumps, mainly in under-immunized communities. These outbreaks serve to remind us that these diseases still exists. We cannot afford to become complacent. The accomplishments of immunization in preventing disease have become a victim of their own success.

We also have to remember many of these diseases are still endemic in foreign countries and for the traveler the potential of exposure is just an international flight away.

In Ontario, there are six vaccines required by law and additionally seven highly recommended vaccines that are received during infancy, childhood and adolescence. Immunization campaigns locally within the community and schools have been very successful with high immunization coverage rates. 

For further information on immunizations, please call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or visit our web site at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

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For more information:
Jody Kroeplin R.N., B.Sc.N.
Public Health Nurse
Vaccine Preventable Disease Program
Grey Bruce Health Unit
519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 1323