Susan Healey says lots of people are behind on their vaccines because of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting people’s schedules.
April 24th to 30th is National Immunization Week, and the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit is urging residents to make sure their shots are up to date.
“Many routine immunization programs had to stop [during the pandemic] and people were unable to receive the vaccines they needed,” explains Healey, the organization’s Communications Coordinator. “This has not only put people behind in their routine immunizations but has also left the door open for a resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles and whooping cough.”
Healey says that immunization is important at every age, including into adulthood, where people need to get re-vaccinated against diseases like tetanus and diphtheria every few years.
You can find a full list of vaccines the Health Unit offers, and recommended immunization timelines for babies and kids, on the Health Unit website.