What are these diseases and why is it important for you to immunize your children against them?

Most people have experienced chickenpox, but pneumococcal and meningococcal disease may be less familiar. Read on and see why doctors are saying that all children should be vaccinated against three more diseases.

Chickenpox vaccine

Chickenpox (also called varicella) spreads very easily. Common among children, chickenpox is spread through touching or when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Most of us had chickenpox without having any long term health problems. Chickenpox has always been thought of as something all children go through sooner or later. But, of the 344,000 people who get the disease each year in Canada, nearly 1,900 children are hospitalized because of problems.

Chickenpox may cause problems such as scarring, bacterial skin infections and pneumonia. Other rare, but serious problems include inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) and convulsions. Every year, a few Canadians die as a result of complications from chickenpox. The time parents spend off work tending to children who are sick with the disease adds to the problems created by chickenpox.

Chickenpox vaccine is recommended for every child at 12 months of age and for older children who have not yet had chickenpox. Women planning to become pregnant who have not had chickenpox should also be vaccinated as chickenpox during pregnancy or delivery can harm the baby.

Chickenpox vaccine can be given within three to five days exposure to chickenpox to prevent the disease--so if you or your child has not had the disease but have recently been exposed to it, call your doctor or Public Health for the vaccine!

Pneumoccoccal conjugate vaccine

Pneumococcal bacteria, also called Streptococcus pneumoniae, are a major cause of meningitis, blood infections, pneumonia and ear infections in infants and young children. Every year it is estimated that over half a million children in Canada suffer from diseases caused by pneumococcal bacterial.

One version of pneumococcal vaccine is given to seniors, but it doesn't work on young children. Now a new type of pneumococcal vaccine Prevnar, can be given to infants as part of their series of baby shots. It is strongly recommended for every child up to age two, and for children age two to five with certain medical conditions. It should also be considered for any child in day care. Prevnar provides excellent protection against serious pneumococcal diseases such as meningitis and blood infections, and helps reduce the risk of pneumococcal pneumonia and ear infections.

Meningococcal C conjugate vaccine

Meningococcal bacteria can cause meningitis or blood stream infection. Meningococcal disease spreads from person to person through close contact or coughing and sneezing. Meningococcal disease is always very serious and can often result in death. The risk of contracting meningococcal disease is highest in children under age one and in teens and young adults.

The versions of meningococcal vaccine available until now didn't work on infants and young children. Now a new type of meningococcal vaccine is available that is highly effective for infants and is given as part of the series of baby shots. The vaccine is recommended for all children under age five and for adolescents and young adults. Although there are several types of meningococcal disease, this new vaccine provides protection against Group C bacteria which is most common in children and teens. An outbreak of meningococcal disease, group C, sparked a large vaccination campaign in London in 2001.

These three new vaccines represent another milestone in prevention. Immunizing your children can protect them from illness that otherwise could make them very sick. 

Please refer to the Useful Links on the right for more information on these vaccines.
  

If you have any questions about these three new vaccines, please talk to your doctor or Chatham-Kent Public Health 519-355-1071 ext. 5900 or online at CKhealth@chatham-kent.ca