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NLIS 3
May 16, 2001
(Health and Community Services)


National Immunization Awareness Week

Gerald Smith, acting Minister of Health and Community Services, today acknowledged National Immunization Awareness Week, May 13-20.

"People need to ensure that they receive their immunizations. While today, vaccine preventable diseases are not commonly reported in Canada, being immunized is still an important factor in protecting both yourself and others," Minister Smith said. "Health promotion and prevention are key principles to maintaining good health and immunization is an important preventative health care measure." 

Immunization works. For example, in 1953, there were 8,878 cases of polio in Canada. The polio vaccine was introduced in 1955, and in the year 2000 there were zero cases of this disease reported in Canada. 

The immunization program in Newfoundland and Labrador has been ongoing since the vaccines to protect against diphtheria and tetanus were introduced in 1940. The publicly funded program provides routine childhood and adult immunizations as recommended by the Canadian National Advisory Committee on Immunization. In Newfoundland and Labrador, there is currently an immunization rate of over 95 per cent.

The childhood schedule protects against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, whopping cough, haemophilus influenzae type B, measles, mumps and rubella. The school health program offers hepatitis B and boosters as required by the childhood program. The adult programs include boosters against tetanus and diphtheria as well as pneumococcal disease and influenza. For certain people who may be at risk these vaccines are available at any age. The immunization programs are provided through public health nurses and family physicians throughout the province.

Immunization helps to prevent diseases caused by specific viruses and bacteria. The immunization helps an individual's immune system to build defenses against these organisms. When exposed to diseases, an immunized person's immune system can quickly work to prevent infection.

National Immunization Awareness Week is being recognized across Canada. Spokespersons Sharon, Lois and Bram and Bibi are helping the Canadian Immunization Awareness Program (CIAP) spead its messages of immunization. 

Media contact: Karen McCarthy, Executive Director of Communications, (709) 729-2788.

2001 05 16                                     9:40 a.m.


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