The Chief Public Health Office is working with health care providers to ensure Islanders know which adult immunizations they require and how they can keep them up to date.
National Immunization Awareness Week is being celebrated April 23 to 30 and the theme this year is “Be a Champion and Get Vaccinated!”
Health and Wellness Minister Robert Henderson said immunization, which is very important to the health of individuals and the population, is a collective responsibility.
“For years, our childhood immunization program has been recognized as one of the best in Canada,” said the minister. “As part of our increased focus on wellness, we are now building a progressive adult immunization program to ensure Islanders are well protected at all stages of life.”
The adult immunization project includes a public information campaign, education for health care providers and the establishment of a provincial immunization registry.
Immunizations are commonly given to children in their early years and during school, but immunizations are just as important for adults, said Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Heather Morrison.
“We know that most deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases now occur amongst adults,” said Dr. Morrison. “An effective adult immunization policy is an important component of a strategy to improve immunization rates in the whole population.”
There are a number of reasons why adults need to be immunized. Some vaccines do not offer lifelong protection, for example, adults require a tetanus booster every ten years and should receive the influenza vaccine each year. Some adults may not have received all the vaccines recommended in childhood. Fully immunized adults can help protect vulnerable populations, such as infants, the elderly, and immune-compromised Islanders who have not been immunized or who are unable to be immunized.
“Adult immunization rates in Canada are estimated to be low,” said Dr. Morrison. “Many provinces in Canada, including P.E.I., continue to experience outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, mumps and whooping cough.”
Most immunizations are free for adults in Prince Edward Island. They can be accessed by making an appointment at Health PEI Public Health Nursing or by referral from a health care provider. Other immunizations are provided for a fee by physicians or pharmacists.
Islanders are encouraged to talk with their health care provider, local public health nursing office or community pharmacist to learn more. The provincial immunization program schedule can be viewed at www.gov.pe.ca/health/immunizationschedule