April 28, 2014
Immunization Protects Children, Families and Communities
National Immunization Awareness Week Recognized in the Province
Immunization is a safe and easy way to protect the health of children, friends, families and our communities. National Immunization Awareness Week, April 26 to May 3, highlights the importance of being immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases.
“We have an exceptional public health program in Newfoundland and Labrador, especially when it comes to childhood immunization. We have one of the highest childhood immunization rates in the country and we meet or exceed the national childhood and school-based program target of 90 per cent coverage. As a result of this focus on disease prevention, we live in a province that has protected itself from serious diseases that were once commonplace. During National Immunization Awareness Week, I encourage everyone to review their family’s immunization history and their future travel plans to ensure that we all do our part in disease prevention.”
- The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services
Through the Provincial Government’s public health childhood immunization program, children receive vaccines to protect against 17 different infections including pneumonia, meningitis, whooping cough, chicken pox, measles, mumps and rubella. In addition, the public health program offers influenza vaccine annually to protect against the seasonal flu. For more information on provincial immunizations and the routine immunization schedule please visit: www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/immunizations.html
“While we place great focus on protecting and immunizing children, it is important that everyone is aware of their vaccine history, especially if they are travelling, or are around those with less protection, like infants or people with a chronic disease.”
- Minister Sullivan
To help keep track of vaccine histories and other related information, a new free phone app has been released by Immunize Canada and its partners. The app allows people to record and store vaccine information and manage vaccination appointments for the entire family, among other features. The app and other immunization information can be found at www.immunize.ca 
Budget 2014: Shared Prosperity, Fair Society, Balanced Outlook, provides $350,000 to expand the provincial vaccination program, which will allow greater access to influenza vaccines for all residents of the province, whooping cough vaccines for adults and a second dose chicken pox vaccine for children.
QUICK FACTS
- The Provincial Government has recognized April 26 to May 3 as National Immunization Awareness Week.
- Newfoundland and Labrador has one of the highest childhood vaccination rates in the country that meets or exceeds the national childhood and school-based program target of 90 per cent coverage.
- The childhood immunization program provides protection against 17 different infections.
- $350,000 was allocated in Budget 2014 to expand the provincial vaccination program, allowing greater access to influenza vaccines for all residents, whooping cough vaccines for adults and a second dose chicken pox vaccine for children.
- Immunize Canada is offering a free app that will help track vaccination information. It can be found at www.immunize.ca
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Media contact:
Jennifer Tulk
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 728-4104
JenniferTulk@gov.nl.ca
2014 04 28 10:40 a.m.