Health and Community Services
April 28, 2015

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Steve Kent, Minister of Health and Community Services:

Minister Recognizes National Immunization Awareness Week

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in this Honourable House today to recognize April 26 to May 2 as National Immunization Awareness Week. National Immunization Awareness Week provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the value of being immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Immunization is a key component of public health and goes a long way toward protecting us from communicable diseases. By getting our children started with first vaccinations at two months of age, we immediately protect them from 11 different diseases and place them on a path of prevention that continues throughout their school years and into adulthood. Getting vaccinated not only prevents us and our children from getting sick; it also reduces the risk to those with less protection, such as infants or those with chronic diseases.

Mr. Speaker, our government remains committed to protecting public health in Newfoundland and Labrador. This past year we expanded the provincial vaccination program through an investment of $350,000. These funds increased access to influenza vaccines for all residents of the province, whooping cough vaccines for adults and added a second dose of chicken pox vaccine for children.

I would also like to call attention to a recent report by the CD Howe Institute that praises our province as a national leader in vaccination rates. The report highlights what it calls Newfoundland and Labrador's "take-every-opportunity" approach to immunization as a key factor in our success with vaccination uptake. The national average for vaccination rates falls between 70 and 95 per cent. I am proud to say that the report has placed Newfoundland and Labrador at the peak of the national average with a vaccination rate of 95 per cent for childhood vaccinations.

We are tremendously proud of our provincial status as a national leader in vaccination rates; however, we must remain vigilant in disease prevention and safety. I would also like to take this opportunity to alleviate some concern expressed in our communities after a study falsely linked the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine with the development of autism. That study has since been debunked by a large U.S. study involving 95,000 children. Parents can have confidence in vaccinating their infants against these childhood diseases.

Mr. Speaker, as always, anyone seeking information about vaccinations - the many myths associated with them - encouraged to visit our departmental website at www.gov.nl.ca/health. We will continue our commitment to protecting the health and well-being of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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2015 04 28                              1:55 p.m.