Canadian kids not immune to childhood disease dangers

Date: Oct. 22, 1999
Time: 10:59 am

"If children's vaccinations are not kept up to date, they are at risk for infection," said Dr. Roy West, chair of the Canadian Immunization Awareness Program (CIAP) "These disease can spread very quickly and have very serious consequences."

CIAP, which kicks off its national immunization awareness week this weekend in Kanata, Ont., warns that diseases such as whooping cough and measles have had devastating effects in the past and should not be taken lightly. In 1997 a rubella (German measles) outbreak in Manitoba saw 4000 cases reported. The next year, following the promotion and implementation of immunization programs, only 67 cases were reported.

Immunization week activities to remind parents of the importance of immunization are planned for across the country next week. Action kits have also been developed and distributed to child care centres, public health units, community health centres.

"Parents are usually very good at making sure that their children receive all of their vaccinations on time, but over time the coverage starts to slip," added CIAP spokesperson Dr. Carol McConnery of Hull. "That is why it is important that we continue to remind parents of our key message -- on time, every time."

Send a letter to the editor Envoyez une lettre à la rédaction