As part of National Immunization Awareness Week (NIAW), the Manitoba government is encouraging Manitobans to be up to date on routine immunizations that help protect against serious illnesses, Health Minister Audrey Gordon announced in a media release Monday (Apr 24).
“Routine vaccinations are recommended through all stages of life, but they’re especially important to help give children a healthy start,” said Gordon. “We know that the demands of the pandemic disrupted routine health care, including infant and childhood immunizations. But it’s never too late to catch up, and we hope parents and caregivers will take advantage of opportunities to get immunized, for their little ones and for themselves.”
This year’s theme for NIAW is ‘Catch up with Confidence.’ Provincial vaccination data show children born in 2019, 2020 and 2021 are more likely to be behind on routine immunizations, which protect against infections with serious complications such as whooping cough (pertussis), polio, meningitis, measles, mumps and chicken pox.
Public health teams across the province are taking steps to help younger children-and Manitobans of all ages-catch up on routine vaccinations by extending clinic hours, hosting pop-up clinics, and making home visits in the coming weeks. In addition, many rural public health teams are planning annual spring health fairs and preschool immunization events, which are locally advertised and open to all. Later this spring, public health will also be sending followup letters to parents of children born in 2019, 2020 and 2021 who may be missing routine childhood immunizations. School-based immunization clinics for older children are typically offered in spring and fall.
“Vaccines save lives and are one of the safest and most effective public health tools available to us,” said Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer. “Many diseases that can have serious complications, such as whooping cough, measles and chicken pox, can be prevented by vaccination. Public health teams are working in their communities to increase access to vaccines, build confidence, and remove barriers. I encourage all Manitobans who are overdue for a vaccine to roll up their sleeves to protect themselves and each other in recognition of National Immunization Awareness Week.”
Individuals and families can also talk to a health-care provider, call or visit a local public health office or ACCESS clinic (in Winnipeg) to learn more about vaccine eligibility.
NIAW is an annual event held in the last week of April to highlight and recognize the importance of immunization. Learn more at https://immunize.ca/niaw
For more information about the Manitoba government’s routine immunization schedule, visit www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/div/schedules.html
For more information about seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines, including the spring booster for eligible individuals, visit https://protectmb.ca
