National Immunization Awareness Week - April 22 – 28, 2007

 

 

Did you know that it is not just infants and children who require vaccinations? Adults and adolescents require immunizations too.

 

Each year many Canadian adults die from infectious diseases that could be easily prevented by safe and effective vaccines.
 
During National Immunization Awareness Week, York Region Health Services is encouraging adults to ask your physician if your immunizations are up to date.

 

Most adults cannot remember the last time they received a booster shot, which you should get every ten years.  Ask your doctor if you are due for your booster shot, and if you should receive Adacel.  Adacel is a new vaccine that replaces a regular booster shot and protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (otherwise known as "whooping cough").  So what is tetanus and pertussis?

 

Tetanus is found in the environment, especially soil and manure.  Outdoor projects, gardening and recreational activities put those who have not been immunized at risk. 

 

Tetanus can be contracted when a wound or cut comes into contact with tetanus spores found in the environment (soil or manure).  Tetanus does not spread from person to person, but can have severe symptoms and health effects including very painful muscle spasms producing "lockjaw" or broken bones, and difficulty swallowing and suffocation.  Between 10-20 per cent of people who get tetanus can even die.

 

 

Pertussis otherwise know as whooping cough, is another disease for which adults need immunization.  Pertussis is a very contagious disease that spreads through droplets from the mouth and nose when a person with pertussis coughs, sneezes, or talks.  Infected parents and caregivers can easily pass it on to children and infants they have been in contact with.    In fact, in 2006, 15 per cent of reported cases of pertussis in York Region were in adults. Pertussis in infants and children is serious and can result in hospitalization, brain damage and even death.  By protecting ourselves against this disease, we protect our children from it too.

 

Depending on your age, occupation, lifestyle and travel plans, you may also need vaccinations against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), meningococcal disease, pneumococcal infections or the human papilloma virus.   York Region Health Services encourages you to ask your physician if you should receive any of these safe and effective vaccines to be protected against these serious infections, some of which are potentially life-threatening.

 

Remember, the best method of protection is prevention through immunization.  Ask to your doctor if your immunizations are up to date.  You are never too old to be immunized.