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Did you know? Quick immunization facts
- Ontario had 2,308 cases of measles in 1995. Since the introduction of the second
dose of measles vaccine in the childhood immunization schedule in 1996, the incidence
has dropped dramatically to two cases in 1999.
- Within one year after the introduction in 1999 of a meningococcal serogroup C
conjugate vaccine in the United Kingdom, the incidence of meningitis was reduced by 92
per cent among young children and 95 per cent among teenagers. This vaccine is
currently not government funded.
- When communities don't maintain immunization rates, diseases within and beyond these
communities can return with a vengeance. Consider Russia. Twenty years ago, the rate
of diphtheria was low. A breakdown of immunization in the 1980s and early 90s led to
an epidemic of 50,000 cases and 1,700 deaths.
- Another triumph in immunization is the remarkable impact of the Hib vaccine, which
protects against a type of childhood meningitis. In 1988, there were over 500 reported
cases of severe haemophilus influenzae type b in young children in Canada. With the
introduction of a vaccine against this organism in the mid 80s, there were only 30
cases in Canada in 1999.
- Since the early 60s, after development of the polio vaccine, polio has virtually
disappeared from North America. Most young parents today do not realize the fear and
panic that parents felt during the polio epidemics in the 50s in Canada.
- Each year immunization saves millions of children from death or disability. The
small cost of immunization is more than offset by savings from reduced medical care
and fewer hospital admissions. Vaccines save lives and money. They are a true bargain.
- In the Americas, measles transmission has been successfully interrupted through
immunization. Unfortunately, in other parts of the world, measles remains a major
cause of childhood mortality. There were an estimated 30-40 million cases of measles
in 2000, causing 777,000 deaths. This disease accounts for 5 per cent of all deaths
among children worldwide under five years of age. Aggressive vaccination activities in
countries of high incidence are being promoted in an attempt to decrease incidence and
mortality.
- With the disappearance of once common deadly diseases such as polio, measles and
diphtheria, many young parents no longer have first-hand experience with these
illnesses, and therefore, have not learned to fear them.
- Pertusis (whopping cough) is re-emerging as a health problem in Ontario, and around
the world, with the most rapid increase occurring among teenagers. In Fall 2003, the
adolescent (14-16 years) booster will include a Pertusis component along with Tetanus
and Diphtheria. It is expected that the number of cases of whopping cough will also
decrease in vulnerable infants as adolescents are often carriers of the disease.
Immunization must be maintained in our communities to prevent the return of large
outbreaks of childhood infectious diseases.
(Courtesy of
Peel Public Health) |
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Leeds,
Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit -
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