Immunization Awareness Week was officially launched in the province today to increase understanding among parents that immunization is one of a child's best shots at good health.
Health and Social Services Minister Jamie Ballem advised that Canada has one of the best childhood immunization programs in the world.
"In Prince Edward Island, childhood illnesses like polio and whooping cough which were once common and feared, are now rare," said the minister. "This is mainly the result of effective vaccines administered by dedicated public health nurses who help to ensure that Island children receive their shots regularly and on time."
"However, we've done such a good job vaccinating that we've created a generation of parents that don't know what the actual diseases are like," said Minister Ballem. "Many of todays parents have never seen measles. They have never seen mumps. They may not know what lockjaw is, or diphtheria."
More Islanders are now asking why their children should be immunized if these diseases have all but disappeared.
Dr. Lamont Sweet, Chief Health Officer, indicated that the viruses and bacteria that cause these diseases have not disappeared and the diseases themselves are still present in other countries. "In these days of widespread travel and immigration, we can still be exposed."
"In 1997, British Columbia had a measles epidemic which began at Simon Fraser University and spread through the province," he said. "The virus was brought into Canada by a student from another country and it spread easily from person to person."
The disease was so contagious that individuals who suspected they had measles were asked to phone first, rather than visit, their doctor or local public health office. They were also told not to go out in public until the contagious phase of the disease was over.
As a result of the outbreak, British Columbia began mass immunization. Those who chose not to be vaccinated were told that they would be putting themselves and others at risk.
As part of the week's activities, posters entitled "Do you Need More Reasons to Immunize," will be distributed to physician and public health nursing offices across the Island. The poster shows children infected with diseases such as whooping cough, German measles, chickenpox, polio and haemophilus meningitis. While the images may be discomforting to look at, they are meant to educate and remind parents what the actual diseases are like.
Marie Morris, Communicable Disease Control Nurse, for the Department of Health and Social Services advised that it is encouraging when parents show concern for their children's health. "Increasingly accessible health information enables parents to make informed decisions about their children's health. However, there is also a lot of exaggerated and nonscientific information available about vaccines and this information is causing some parents to consider refusing immunization altogether, which could expose their children to potentially life-threatening diseases."
"It is important that parents not forget that immunization protects their children's health. Immunization rates must remain high so that we do not put our children's health at risk," she said.
For further information on immunization, please contact the Department of Health and Social Services at 368-6114.
Fast Facts on Immunization
Diphtheria
Diphtheria is an infection caused by bacteria that most often infect the nose and throat. Toxins can damage the throat, heart, nerves and kidneys. Even with treatment, about one in ten people infected with diphtheria will die.
1920: Approximately 12,000 cases and 1,000 deaths occurred every year in Canada.
1930: Routine immunization became widespread.
1980: Less than five cases and no deaths. Most cases in Canada occurred in adults who had not been immunized.
Disease can return: In 1989 there were 839 cases of diphtheria in the Soviet Union. In 1994, there were 50,000 cases because of low immunization.
Whooping Cough
Infection caused by bacteria. Major symptom is severe coughing followed by a whooping sound before the next breath.
Early 1900s Whooping cough killed one in every 200 children, most under 12 months of age. Number of cases remains the same until 1940's when the death rates fall because of better nutrition, less overcrowding and smaller families.
1940s: New whole cell vaccine introduced.
1997: "Acellular vaccine" introduced causing fewer reactions.
Disease can return: Between 1977-78, 100,000 people in England were affected with whooping cough and 100 died because of lower immunization rates.
Lockjaw
Lockjaw is the result of a poison that causes a spasm of the jaw muscles (lock jaw) followed by painful spasms of muscles in the face, neck, chest, abdomen, arms and legs. Even with treatment 10%-20% of those infected die.
Early 1900s: Over 5000 cases of lockjaw.
1940s: Vaccine available in Canada.
1980s: Fewer than two cases a year reported in Canada.
Disease can return: Booster shot recommended every 10 years after receiving the vaccine as an infant.
Polio
Polio is an infection that can affect the nerve cells in the spinal cord. About 1 in every 100 persons infected becomes paralyzed.
1955: More than 76,000 cases of paralytic polio in Canada.
Late 1950s Vaccine introduced.
1991: Polio eliminate in Canada.
Disease can return: Polio still exists in Africa, Asia and India. Until it is eliminated worldwide, the risk to Canadians remains high.
Haemophilus Influenzae (Hib)
Hib causes bacterial meningitis and other serious infections. Without treatment all children with Hib meningitis die. With treatment 1 in 20 will die and 1 in 3 will have brain damage.
Before 1985: Every year in Canada 1500 cases of Hib meningitis found in children under 5.
1986: Vaccine introduced.
1996: 8 cases in Canada.
Disease can return: Hib is still circulating in Canada and inadequately vaccinated children are at risk.
Measles
Measles is caused by a virus and results in fever, runny nose and cough. In 1 in 1000 cases it can cause swelling of the brain resulting in brain damage.
Before 1954: Almost everyone got measles. In Canada 50-75 people died and there were 400 cases of swelling of the brain.
By 1960: Vaccine introduced.
1996: 327 cases of measles reported in Canada.
Disease can return: In 1997, British Columbia had a measles epidemic which began at Simon Fraser University because of the large number of students attending the university from other countries. Unvaccinated, they brought the disease with them.
German Measles
German measles is caused by a virus. It is mild in children but severe in teenagers and adults. It can cause the baby of a pregnant women to have malformations of the brain, heart or organs.
Before 1965: Outbreaks occurred every spring. 85% of people had German measles by the time they reached 20 years of age. 2000 babies born with malformations.
1968-69: Vaccine introduced.
1980: Only 4-8 babies born with malformations as a result of mothers having German measles while pregnant.
Disease can return: Major outbreak of German measles in Manitoba in 1996. 70% of cases were males who had not been immunized. They put pregnant women at risk.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by a virus. It causes fever, fatigue, and yellow skin and eyes. 10% of infected adults can't get rid of the infected cells. Chronic infection can scar the liver and cause death. 90% of infants who get Hepatitis B from their mothers at birth will develop chronic infection.
Before 1982: 20,000 new infections each year in Canada. 400 deaths from the disease.
1982-present: Vaccine introduced.
1998: Because of a lag time of 15-30 years between infection and the development of chronic liver disease, it will be several decades before the benefits of immunization can be seen.
Mumps
Mumps is caused by a virus resulting in fever, headache and swelling of the glands. It can cause swelling of the brain.
Before vaccine: Mumps is a mild disease.
Vaccine introduced: Vaccine introduced and the number of cases of mumps falls by 90%.
Disease can return: In 1997, a mumps outbreak occurred in British Columbia among teens who had not been vaccinated.
Chickenpox
Chicken pox is a common contagious childhood disease. It is usually not serious but causes an aggravating rash preventing a child from attending school or day care for several days.
Before vaccine: 95 percent of children will catch the disease by the time they are 12 years of age.
Vaccine introduced: Vaccine introduced in P.E.I. in 2000.