Why is vaccination so important

Section Navigation. Important update: Healthcare facilities. Learn more. To maximize protection from the Delta variant and prevent possibly spreading it to others, get vaccinated as soon as you can and wear a mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission. Updated Nov. Minus Related Pages. If your child was born in B. If you did not receive one, you can request one from your local health unit. If you have questions or concerns about immunizations, speak to your health care provider or call to speak to a registered nurse anytime, every day of the year.

An overwhelming majority of health professionals, medical researchers, and professional medical organizations such as the Canadian Paediatric Society and the College of Family Physicians of Canada recommend immunization. Getting immunized is important for at least two reasons: to protect yourself and to protect those around you. Vaccines are the best way we have to prevent infectious disease. A successful immunization program depends on the co-operation of every person.

Improved sanitation, hygiene, and other living conditions have created a generally healthier environment and reduced the risks for disease exposure and infection in Canada. But the dramatic and long-term decrease of diseases is primarily a result of widespread immunizations throughout the Canadian population. Even though some diseases, such as polio , rarely affect people in Canada, all of the recommended childhood immunizations and booster vaccines are still needed.

Improved sanitation, hygiene, and other living conditions have created a generally healthier environment and reduced the risks for disease exposure and infection in the United States. But the dramatic and long-term decrease of diseases is primarily a result of widespread immunizations throughout the U. Even though some diseases, such as polio , rarely affect people in the U. These diseases still exist in other countries. Travelers can unknowingly bring these diseases into the U.

Without the protection from immunizations, these diseases could be imported and could quickly spread through the population, causing epidemics. Nonimmunized people living in healthy conditions are not protected from disease. Your body's immune system can fight a disease better and faster if you have had the infection before or if you get immunized. Author: Healthwise Staff. What about people who cannot be immunised? Modern outbreaks of infectious diseases Immunisation surveillance How new vaccines are developed Who needs to be vaccinated?

Where can I get more information about immunisation? Immunisation is important Immunisation is one of the best ways you can protect yourself, your children and future generations from infectious diseases. How do vaccinations work? Modern outbreaks of infectious diseases Many infectious diseases are rare or not around anymore, thanks to vaccination.

But there are still infectious disease outbreaks happening around the world today: COVID — a new disease that the world is still learning about. New research is happening all the time so we can understand more about the disease, including the long-term effects. Flu , chicken pox , whooping cough , measles — these diseases still have occasional outbreaks in Australia, mainly when introduced from overseas.

They could make a strong comeback if people stop vaccinating. In January , 62, measles cases were notified globally compared to the same period in when only 23, cases were notified. There is ongoing evidence of transmission throughout the Americas, Africa and other regions of the world.

As of , a total of 86 countries and territories have reported evidence of mosquito-transmitted Zika infection. Ebola — the latest outbreak of Ebola virus disease started in Democratic Republic of Congo in August , and is ongoing.

There is still no cure, but current treatments allow patients to live long and healthy lives. Immunisation surveillance To keep you, your family and your community safe, governments need a complete picture of immunisation.

The NCIRS was set up in as an independent expert on immunisation and focuses on: Surveillance of vaccine preventable diseases. Vaccination coverage and adverse events. Program evaluations. Social research. How new vaccines are developed It can take a long time to develop a new vaccine. Who needs to be vaccinated? Vaccination is particularly recommended if you: Are a newborn or young child as per the NIP schedule.

Have a newborn baby. Are pregnant or planning for a baby. Are caring for very young babies for example, parents, grandparents and carers. Are an older person.