Archived News Releases

September 30, 2004

Four additional vaccines are now available to eligible

Manitoba children as part of the routine immunization schedule, Health y Living Minister Jim Rondeau announced today.

"These four vaccines will be added to

Manitoba 's universal immunization program for children and will offer protection against serious but preventable diseases," said Rondeau. "This initiative is consistent with the Health y Living mandate to keep people well and take pressure off of the acute care medical system."

The four free vaccines for children are:

·         conjugated meningococcal type C vaccine – prevents bloodstream and meningitis infections;

·         conjugated pneumococcal vaccine – prevents infections from seven types of pneumococcal bacteria that can cause bloodstream and middle ear infections, meningitis and pneumonia;

·         varicella vaccine – prevents chickenpox and complications arising from chickenpox including skin infections and encephalitis, an infection of the brain; and

·         influenza vaccine.

The vaccines will be delivered by public health nurses at schools and clinics and by physicians in their offices, depending on the vaccine.

"We should never lower our guard against childhood diseases. Just 100 years ago, infectious diseases were the leading cause of death around the world," said Rondeau. "Today, thanks to vaccines, children don't have to get serious diseases like measles, whooping cough, chicken pox or meningitis."

"This program will help Manitoban children protect themselves from these diseases and their complications," said Dr. Joanne Embree, chair of the Canadian Paediatric Society's Committee on Infectious Diseases and Immunization.

The program for immunization is consistent with immunization programs that are offered in other Canadian jurisdictions as well as immunization recommendations from the Canadian Paediatric Society.

The introduction of the new vaccines is the result of partnerships between federal and territorial governments that helped develop

Canada 's National Immunization Strategy. Funding for the vaccines comes from the $300 million immunization initiative announced by the federal government.

For information, members of the public may call

Health Links-Info Santé at 788-8200 or (toll free) 1-888-315-9257. Additional vaccine information is available on the Manitoba Health website at https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth. 

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 BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

·         Beginning Oct. 1, the Manitoba government will add four new vaccines (also called baby needles or shots) to the childhood routine immunization schedule. The vaccines will be available free to eligible children across Manitoba. For each vaccine, eligibility for free immunization will depend on the age of the child.

·         The four free vaccines for children include conjugated meningococcal type C vaccine, conjugated pneumococcal vaccine, influenza vaccine and varicella vaccine.

·         These vaccines will help prevent meningitis, blood and middle ear infections, flu and chickenpox.

·         Children eligible for the free meningitis shot include all Grade 4 students as well as any person older than two years with certain high-risk medical conditions.

·         Children eligible for the free pneumonia shot include all healthy babies born on or after Jan. 1, 2004 and children aged two months to four years with a high-risk medical condition.

·         Children eligible for the free influenza shot include children six to 23 months of age and children with high-risk medical conditions such as those on long-term aspirin therapy.

·         Children eligible for the free chickenpox shot include all babies turning 12 months of age as of Jan. 1, 2005; children who have never had chickenpox and who were born on or after Jan. 1, 1999; Grade 4 students who have never had chickenpox; and anyone who is considered to be at high risk of severe disease and its complications.  Children who have never had chickenpox and who were born on or after Jan. 1, 1999 can have a vaccine administered by a physician at the time of their preschool booster, beginning Oct. 1, 2004.

·         Depending on the vaccine, doctors or public health nurses can administer all the vaccine doses for which a child is eligible.

·         The vaccines are safe but, like any medicine, side effects can sometimes occur. The most common side effects are soreness and redness at the injection site. Other reactions can include fever, headache and fussiness. A nurse or doctor will provide more information about the vaccines before administering them.

·         Any serious or unusual side effects should be reported to a doctor or public health nurse as vaccine reactions are recorded and monitored in Manitoba and across Canada.

·         It is not known at this time if booster doses are required for conjugated meningococcal type C, conjugated pneumococcal and varicella vaccines. However, all three vaccines are expected to produce long-term protection.

·         Children receiving the influenza vaccine may require a booster shot. Children younger than nine years of age who have never received a flu shot need two doses of the vaccine at least four weeks apart. A second dose is not required if a child has received one or more doses of vaccine during a previous flu season.

·         Although Manitoba Health recommends these vaccines for eligible children, immunization is voluntary in Manitoba and is not required for entry to a school.