Why it’s important to never delay vaccines
The most vulnerable time in your little one’s life is during the first two months.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, immunization against the 13 vaccine-preventable diseases begins at two months.
What diseases do immunizations prevent?
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
- Polio
- Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
- Hepatitis B
- Pneumococcal disease
- Meningococcal disease
- Influenza (The Flu)
Most of these diseases are now rare in Canada because of immunization — and that’s a good thing. However, it’s important to be aware of vaccine availability to ensure your child is receiving all possible coverage against these serious diseases. Be sure to speak to your doctor about current vaccine availability for your child.
| Did you know?Meningococcal disease can cause meningitis (an infection of the lining around your child’s spinal cord and brain) and sepsis (a blood infection). This disease has consequences of which not everyone fully recovers — in some cases, it can lead to brain damage, limb loss — even death.There are 5 strains of meningococcal disease. While vaccines have been available in Canada for the A, C, Y and W-135 strains, no vaccine has protected against the B strain – until this past December. Be sure to speak to your doctor about this recent breakthrough. |
Don’t know which vaccines your baby needs and when? After your baby is born, your doctor or nurse should provide you with an immunization schedule, which will outline the correct age and correlating vaccines. Note that it is your responsibility to keep a record of each vaccine (a card or booklet is usually provided to you by the first doctor to give a vaccine), and to bring it to the doctor each time your little one receives a new vaccination so it can be updated.
The vaccine schedule for your child may change depending on where you live. To access your provincial immunization tool you can check out this link, or ask your doctor!
Some vaccines need to be given more than once in order to build your baby’s immunity and, depending on the vaccine, a booster may be needed in the future to keep their immune system strong. Some children may also experience mild side effects, such as fever, but use of pain reducing medicine can help manage these symptoms.
In order to ensure your baby’s immune system learns how to recognize and fight diseases in the long run, you must keep to the immunization schedule provided. If you think you’ve missed a vaccine for your child, visit your doctor as soon as possible with your child’s immunization record and they will help to get your little one up to date.
Don’t delay; speak to your doctor about your child’s vaccination schedule.
