(Y95 News file photo)
You may have all the kids school supplies, but have they had all their shots ?
Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health for Nova Scotia says vaccines lower the risk of infection and help people develop immunity to diseases like whooping cough, measles and many others.
“We have a series of vaccines starting at infancy, at 2, 4, 6 months and then again at a year. Then boosters against a numbers of diseases between the ages of 4 and 6.”
Those boosters are against diseases including dyptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough) and they offer a booster at 18 months, against measles, mumps and rubella.
“But if that second dose with MMR hasn’t been given, it’s really important to get it before entering school. I’m sure people are aware of the increase in measles around the world.”
Dr. Strang says infants should receive vaccines listed in Nova Scotia’s Routine Immunization Schedule. Before starting school, children between the ages of four and six should receive a booster of Tdap-IPV vaccine to protect them against tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, and polio. They may also need a second dose of MMRV vaccine to protect against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.
He says it’s also important for families and individuals to keep their own vaccination records.
“We’re working on developing an electronic immunization registry but that’s an ongoing process.
The Routine Immunization Schedules for Children, Youth and Adults can be found at the link below:
