Immunization

Immunization protects us all!

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect you and others against many serious communicable diseases. Immunization helps to build your immunity against diseases that your body has trouble fighting on its own. Thanks to immunization many communicable diseases are no longer common in Canada.

Immunization is a safe, reliable, and effective method of protecting both individuals and communities, from diseases that are included in the vaccine. It is important to maintain high immunization rates in order to provide the best protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.

How do vaccines work?

Vaccines contain tiny amounts of dead or weakened bacteria or viruses that stimulate your immune system to produce protective antibodies. Your immune system stores this information on how to make these antibodies. Later, when your body is exposed to that same bacteria or virus, it "remembers" how to make these antibodies and the antibodies your body makes attack and destroy the bacteria and viruses and help prevent the disease.

Are vaccines safe?

Yes, vaccines are very safe. Sometimes immunizations can cause temporary side effects, such as soreness where the needle went into the arm or leg or a slight fever. Serious side effects from immunizations are very rare. The risks of the disease are much higher than a risk of a serious reaction from the immunization.

Saskatchewan’s Immunization Programs

Immunizations for infants and children follow a regular schedule. Your child’s first vaccines start at two months of age. Some immunizations are only given once or twice, and some need to be given several times during childhood. Saskatchewan Health provides publicly funded immunizations to protect your child. Immunization is available for children at Sun Country Health Region Child Health Clinics and in schools. For more information about the immunization schedule for children and infants, visit the website http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/immunization-schedule at the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health.

You can also visit the following Public Health Agency of Canada websites to learn more about your immunization schedule and the immunization schedule for children:

Immunization Schedule for school-age children in Grades 1 through 12 - 

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/im/iyc-vve/schedule-calendrier-eng.php

Immunization Schedule for children under 6 years of age -

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/im/iyc-vve/is-cv-eng.php

To set up an appointment for immunization, obtain information about immunizations your child is due for, or to obtain information about vaccines for children and adults – contact your local public health office and speak to the Public Health Nurse (see contact numbers below).

Local Public Health Office Contact Information

To set up an appointment for immunization, obtain information about immunizations your child is due for, or to obtain information about vaccines for children and adults – contact your local public health office and speak to the Public Health Nurse.

Estevan Public Health - 637-3626
Weyburn Public Health - 842-8618
Kipling Public Health - 736-2522
Redvers Public Health - 452-3464
Carlyle Public Health - 453-6131
Coronach Public Health - 267-5705
Radville Public Health - 869-2555
Oxbow Public Health - 483-2313

Vaccine Resources

For general information and background information on vaccines, click on the following icon for a power point presentation titled “First Shot Best Shot” created by the Canadian Pediatric Society. 

For more information on vaccines and immunization programs you can also visit the following websites:

Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/im/index-eng.php

Saskatchewan Ministry of Health
http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/immunization

Canadian Coalition for Immunization Awareness and Promotion
http://www.immunize.cpha.ca/en/default.aspx

Caring for Kids
http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/

Canadian Pediatric Society
http://www.cps.ca/English/HealthCentres/immunization.htm 

Immunization Action Coalition
http://www.vaccineinformation.org/

Centre for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/

Date posted – February, 2011.