Be a meningitis hero for your child

    "VAC Check Day" celebrates Canadians who make a difference in
    understanding the importance of proper vaccination

    TORONTO, April 21 /CNW/ - Are your child's immunization records
up-to-date? In today's busy world, it is important to follow-up on shots to
make sure all vaccines are complete and up-to-date.
    Monday, April 21st, the first day of National Immunization Awareness
Week, is VAC Check Day - a day when parents are encouraged to check that their
children's vaccination records are up-to-date. To draw attention to this
important day, parents, nurses and other members of our community are being
recognized as Meningitis Heroes. These heroes have actively worked to elevate
the importance of vaccinating against pneumococcal diseases, such as
meningitis through advocacy, research and parent education.Meningitis Heroes Recognized

    This VAC Check Day, two individuals are being recognized as Meningitis
    Heroes.

    -   Nicole Nayman, mother of a child who survived pneumococcal
        meningitis, and a advocate and educator on the importance of
        immunization
    -   Dr. Jane Finlay, pediatric infectious diseases specialist and
        community advocateIn the past few years, there has been a great reduction in the number of
cases of serious pneumococcal diseases, such as meningitis, in Canada. Before
the launch of Prevnar, the pneumococcal disease vaccine, in 2002, it was
estimated that there were about 65 cases of pneumococcal meningitis in
children less than 5 years of age in Canada per year. Since the introduction
of Prevnar in Canada, the incidence of pneumococcal diseases has decreased by
about 80 to 85 per cent (all serotypes).
    "Prevnar is the only vaccine currently available to all Canadian children
that protects against seven different strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae,
which account for approximately 80 per cent of invasive pneumococcal diseases
in children aged six months to five years," says Dr. Dion Neame, Chief of
Pediatrics at Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital in Burlington, Ontario. "The 13
valent vaccine for pneumococcal diseases, currently in development, is the
next generation of the current vaccine, Prevnar. When approved, it will be the
most complete vaccine available to protect against pneumococcal diseases,
including the 19A strain which has recently begun appearing in Canada."(1)

    Keeping Track is Key to Children's Health

    As new vaccines are being regularly added to the recommended schedule, it
is increasingly difficult to keep track of immunization records. It is
increasingly important for parents to remain vigilant and ensure their
children receive all recommended vaccinations to completion.
    According to a recent study, 90 per cent of parents believe their
children are up-to-date with all their province's recommended vaccinations;
however, in reality only 61 per cent of two year olds received all of the
recommended doses for two of the most common and widely available vaccines.(2)
    "VAC Check Day is an annual reminder for parents, to check immunization
records to ensure their children have received all the recommended
vaccinations," says Dr. Neame. "Completing the recommended dosage is the key
to ensuring your child is the healthiest he or she can be. Providing children
with the recommended vaccinations has been proven to reduce serious
diseases."(3)

    Online Tracking Tool Helps Parents Keep Track

    "This year, every parent can be a Meningitis Hero for their children by
ensuring all the recommended infant vaccinations, such as Prevnar are
up-to-date," says Dr. Neame. "There are great resources online that help make
it easier for parents to keep track of immunizations."
    Parents can use The Mother of All Immunization Trackers
(www.canadaimmunization.com), an easy-to-use immunization tracking tool that
is customized to each province's and territory's schedules. It offers
easy-to-understand definitions of each childhood vaccine and e-mail alerts
letting parents know when to schedule the next vaccine-related doctor's
appointment. While this online record of immunizations is not an official
document, it helps parents quickly check the status of their child's
immunization.
    "To have the best chance of being healthy, every Canadian child should
complete the schedule of recommended vaccinations," says Nicole Nayman. "No
child should have to suffer from a vaccine-preventable disease."
    The Canadian Paediatric Society, the National Advisory Committee on
Immunization, and all provincial and territorial ministries of health strongly
recommend routine childhood immunization.

    Video News Release available via satellite Monday, April 21st, at

    10:00 - 10:30 and again at 14:00 - 14:30 Eastern

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    Position No. 42)---------------------------------
    (1) Prevnar: Pneumococcal 7-valent Conjugate Vaccine (Diphtheria CRM197
        Protein): Suspension for Intramuscular Injection. Wyeth, September
        2005
    (2) Canadian National Report on Immunization, 2006. The combined vaccine
        shots for diphtheria, haemophilus influenzae b, pertussis (DTaP) and
        measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).
    (3) Public Health Agency of Canada, Canadian National Report on
        Immunization, 2006. CCDR 2006;32S3:pp. 14-28

For further information: or to arrange an interview with Dr. Dion Neame
or Nicole Nayman please contact: Ontario, Michelle Krivel/Iwona Kucharska,
NATIONAL Public Relations, [phone]/[phone],
[e-mail]/[e-mail]; Quebec, Nadia Paquet/Lynn
Bessoudo, NATIONAL Public Relations, [phone]/[phone],
[e-mail]/[e-mail]; Alberta, Sarah Woods, NATIONAL
Public Relations, [phone], [e-mail]; British Columbia, Claire
Munroe/Georgia Tsoromocos, NATIONAL Public Relations, [phone],
[e-mail]/[e-mail]