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May 13, 2002

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Big Benefits From a Little Shot"

Calgary Herald (www.calgaryherald.com) (05/11/02) P. B3; Heyman, David

A National Immunization Week was recently held in Canada, during which time provincial governments promoted the benefits of immunization.  In Alberta, Dr. Brent Friesen, the medical officer of health of the Calgary Health Region, says the publicity campaign is needed because immunization rates have dropped somewhat in the province.  For example, only 84 percent of infants in Calgary are currently being immunized against tetanus, whooping cough, and diphtheria, which is down from a high of 92 percent just a few years ago.  Friesen added that the uptake rates for the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine have also witnessed a decline, from 96 percent to 93 percent.  The medical officer says that the decline is due to a number of factors, including complacency--the rarity of these illnesses has led many parents to become complacent about the threat posed by these diseases--and the fact that some people have started to question the safety of the vaccines.  Health Minister Gary Mar added that it is vital not to let immunization rates drop, because this could lead to outbreaks of infectious diseases.

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