Huron County, ON – The Huron County Health Unit reminds all residents to make sure they and their families have up-to-date immunizations.
Recently released studies like the 2013 Childhood National Immunization Coverage Survey focus on childhood immunizations, but adults also need to be immunized.
Updated immunizations against diseases like pertussis are especially important if you will be around a newborn or baby.
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a serious infection of the breathing system caused by a bacteria. It is very contagious and can occur in people of all ages.
The disease is most serious in young children, especially those under one year of age. In this age group pertussis may lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage and occasionally death.
The Huron County Health Unit monitors all cases of pertussis. The Health Unit has recently noted significant pertussis activity in an under-immunized population in the north end of the county. There has been no increased pertussis activity observed in the general population.
“Situations like this show why immunizations are important,” says Dr. Janice Owen, Medical Officer of Health (A). “Although we are seeing these pertussis cases in one population, we have a high vaccination rate in our school populations in Huron County.”
Immunization is the best defense against pertussis. In Ontario, routine childhood vaccines include protection from pertussis. A booster dose is routine for 14 – 16 year olds. These vaccines are covered under Ontario’s Publicly Funded Immunization Schedule. The pertussis vaccine was one of three that became mandatory for Ontario students last year.
Adults can receive a free dose of vaccine that includes protection against pertussis, tetanus and diphtheria.
“I encourage all adults to make sure their immunizations are updated, especially if they are going to be in close contact with newborns or babies,” says Dr. Owen. “Immunizations protect you and the vulnerable ones around you.”
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For more information contact:
Our media contact is: Rita Marshall, Communications Coordinator, Huron County Health Unit, 519.482.3416 or toll-free 1.877.837.6143 ext. 2023 or rmarshall@huroncounty.ca
Our spokesperson is: Dr. Janice Owen, Medical Officer of Health (A). Our media contact will connect you to our spokesperson on this topic.