It’s National Immunization Awareness Week!
National Immunization Awareness Week in Canada is an annual event to recognize and promote vaccinations of all ages across the lifespan.
Immunizations are one of the most important life-saving measures to protect you from serious preventable diseases, such as measles, meningitis and polio.
Did you know that your immunization also benefits everyone around you by reducing the risk of disease in your family and community? “Herd immunity” develops when enough people in your community are immunized against a disease to prevent its spread, protecting people such as infants who are too young to be immunized and those who cannot get immunized due to medical reasons.
Grade seven to 12 community immunization clinics
York Region Public Health is re-starting our community immunization clinics for Grade seven to 12 students to receive immunizations against Hepatitis B, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Meningococcal ACYW-135. This program was paused as we responded to the pandemic. Ontario recently extended eligibility for students to catch up on these important immunizations. For more information, visit York Region Public Health immunization clinics. You may also contact your health care provider to receive any recommended routine immunizations.
Get vaccinated against COVID-19
As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, we strongly encourage everyone to stay up to date with their recommended COVID-19 vaccinations to provide the best protection against severe infection, re-infection and hospitalization. The success of our high COVID-19 vaccination uptake, with 85% for individuals five and older with at least two doses, continues to provide an added layer of protection to their family members and others in our community. You may walk into any of our York Region Public Health COVID-19 vaccination clinics to receive a first, second or third dose; fourth doses require an appointment at this time. For more information or to book an appointment, go to york.ca/COVID19Vaccine.
Vaccination remains our most powerful defense against serious illness and death from COVID-19 as we continue to live with and manage this virus. As protection from your initial vaccine series wanes over time, booster and fourth doses are now recommended for eligible individuals to provide the highest and longest lasting protection. Please ensure you are up to date with your vaccinations, for the protection of yourself and others.
Are you up to date on your immunizations?
We encourage everyone to get involved during National Immunization Awareness Week by checking your immunization records for yourself and your family members and contacting your health care provider for more information.
It is important for everyone of all ages, from infants and young toddlers to older adults to be up to date with recommended immunizations to stay safe, healthy and protected. For school-aged children, it is also important to update us each time your child receives a new required immunization to ensure our immunization records are up to date. For more information, visit immunization requirements for school.
To learn more, go to Ontario's routine immunization schedule to find out what is recommended for you and your loved ones.
