National Immunization Week

Boost your power: Get immunized

National Immunization Awareness Week (April 25 to May 2, 2015)

April 23, 2015 (OTTAWA) – During National Immunization Awareness Week (NIAW), Immunize Canada calls upon all Canadians to protect themselves and others by staying up to date with their immunizations. "Immunizations are safe, effective, and benefit people of all ages," says Dr. Susan Bowles, Chair of Immunize Canada. "They protect individuals and communities by preventing the spread of disease. As more people are immunized, the disease risk for everyone is reduced."

The recent measles outbreaks in Quebec and Ontario remind us that infectious diseases still pose a serious threat to our health. Both infants and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to many vaccine-preventable diseases and their complications. For example, infants who are too young to be fully immunized can become seriously ill if they come in contact with an under-immunized adult who is sick with even a mild case of an illness like pertussis.

It is now easier than ever for Canadians to keep track of their immunizations thanks to the ImmunizeCA app. Developed by Immunize Canada in collaboration with the Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) and the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), and funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

"The ImmunizeCA app provides access to recommended immunization schedules, reliable, expert-approved, bilingual information about immunizations, as well as useful tools such as appointment reminders, and local outbreak alert notifications," says Dr. Shelly McNeil, Vice-Chair of Immunize Canada. The app is easy to use and ideal for Canadians constantly on the go. It is available for free download at the App Store, Google Play and Blackberry World.

For more information, please visit immunize.ca .

 

 

About Immunize Canada

Immunize Canada is a national coalition with the overall aim of increasing awareness about the benefits of immunization and promoting the understanding and use of vaccines as recommended by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI).

For information and interview opportunities, please contact:

Immunize Canada/CPHA

Riki Johnston

Communications Officer

613-725-3769 x 160

rjohnston@cpha.ca

immunize.ca

@Immunizedotca