The Sun Country Health Region (SCHR) has one of the highest rates of immunization coverage in Saskatchewan. The National Immunization Awareness Week in Canada was observed by health regions on April 23 to April 30.
The Sun Country Health Region (SCHR) has one of the highest rates of immunization coverage in Saskatchewan. The National Immunization Awareness Week in Canada was observed by health regions on April 23 to April 30.
"Being immunized is the best way to protect yourself, your family, and your community against many serious communicable diseases," said Dr. Shauna Hudson, medical health officer for Sun Country. "A century ago, because of infectious disease, many children never reached their first birthday. Today, almost all the same infectious diseases exist, but members of the public are protected by immunization."
Over 87 per cent of two-year old children and 95 per cent of seven year old children in SCHR have been immunized for measles, mumps, and rubella, compared with just over 75 per cent and for the province as a whole.
Over 87 per cent of two year old children and 93 per cent of seven year old children in the Region have been immunized for meningococcal meningitis, compared with just over 84 per cent and 87 per cent for the province as a whole.
"It's important for everyone to be immunized," added Hudson. "As more people are immunized, the risk of a serious vaccine-preventable disease is reduced for everyone."
During National Immunization Awareness Week in Canada, the public is encouraged to learn more about how to protect themselves against vaccine-preventable disease. The Canadian Immunization Routine immunizations begin at two months of age and continue through all stages of life. "It is critically important that parents make sure their children receive all doses of the recommended vaccines," said Hudson. "Otherwise they are at risk of some very serious diseases; recent measles cases in Saskatchewan and in Canada emphasize the importance of getting immunized."
"Infants are particularly vulnerable to diseases since they have not yet developed immunity to bacteria and viruses that cause diseases. Immunization triggers their immune systems to be prepared to protect them from these serious diseases," she says.
Although receiving immunizations during childhood is critical, some vaccines do not provide lifelong immunity and therefore a booster dose is required to maintain immunity. Tetanus (lockjaw) is example of a vaccine where a booster is required every 10 years.
One of the recent vaccine initiatives in Saskatchewan has been to reduce the spread of pertussis (whooping cough) to vulnerable infants and young children who may not yet be fully immunized by giving a Tdap vaccine (Tetanus Diphtheria acellular Pertussis) booster to new mothers and fathers.
"Immunizations save lives so let's keep up the immunization coverage rates in Sun Country Health Region," said Hudson. "Help protect yourself, your family, and your community by ensuring your immunizations are up to date. Spread the word and be vaccinated."
