Every year, immunization and vaccines save three million lives worldwide. Unfortunately, another three million lives are lost to vaccine-preventable diseases because individuals did not receive vaccines because of poor access, limited finances or misinformation.[[MORE]]In North America, immunization programs have been so successful that vaccine-preventable diseases, such as polio, diphtheria, mumps and measles, are rarely seen, leading to complacency about the need to immunize. There is a danger in this complacency. If Canadians continue to be under-immunized, it could take as little as two generations for the reappearance of these serious diseases. Québec has been dealing with a measles outbreak since April 2011 with over 750 cases reported. In Canada, immunization remains one of the most cost-effective public health measures. Immunization costs are easily recovered through the reduced need for medical care and hospitalizations. In this case, an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure… and more!Locally, Ottawa Public Health ensures that 35 publicly-funded vaccines are stored safely and made available to physicians and Health Care agencies in Ottawa. Most publicly-funded vaccines, including those recommended for adults, are available through family physicians or at walk-in clinics. Others are available at school and community clinics at various sites throughout the city.April 21st 2012 marks the beginning of National Immunization Awareness Week in Canada. Whether you are a parent, a young adult or a senior, please participate in National Immunization Awareness Week by checking with your health care provider to find out which vaccines are recommended for you and your family, and most importantly, whether your family’s vaccines are up-to-date. Immunizations protect you and the people around you. To locate a walk-in clinic near you, or to find out which vaccines are available through school immunization clinics, contact Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744 (TTY: 613-580-9656) or at healthsante@ottawa.ca, or visit ottawa.ca/health read more..
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