A family affair

National Immunization Awareness Week: April 25 - May 2, 2009

Whether protecting an 87 year old from influenza or keeping a 2 month old baby safe from polio, immunizations save lives.

At the turn of the century, infectious diseases were the leading cause of death worldwide, and no family, rich or poor was untouched. Even Queen Victoria lost a daughter and granddaughter to a vaccine preventable disease- diphtheria.

According to the Canadian Coalition for Immunization Awareness and Promotion, infectious diseases now cause less than five per cent of all deaths - thanks to immunization programs across the country.

From April 25th to May 2nd Albertans are reminded of the importance of immunizations for all members of the family during National Immunization Awareness Week. There is often a focus on infant immunizations but childhood, adult and travel immunizations are equally important.

Vaccines help to protect individuals as well as communities by preventing the spread of disease. The higher the immunization rates the lower the risk of disease for the entire population.

In the last century, vaccines have saved more lives than any other health intervention. They are the most cost-effective way of protecting health and the World Health Organization estimates that every year, more than two million deaths are prevented worldwide due to immunization.

New to Alberta

In the fall of 2008, Alberta introduced a new vaccine to protect young girls against cervical cancer. All grade five girls are now eligible to receive HPV vaccine which will prevent 70 per cent of cervical cancers. Beginning in September 2009, Grade 9 girls will also be eligible for a three-year period.

A very common infection, HPV is passed through sexual contact and it's estimated that over 70 per cent of people will have at least one genital HPV infection in their lifetime. Certain types of HPV infection cause almost all cervical cancer.

For more information on immunizations and a complete list of the routine immunization schedule in Alberta visit http://www.health.alberta.ca/health-info/immunization.html