On Saturday, National Immunization Week is all set to commence, and the Vancouver Island Health Authority is asking parents to make sure that their children get the full dose of suggested vaccinations by the time they celebrate their second birthday.

The health authority perseveres to work hard to boost the inoculation rate of Vancouver Island inhabitants.

This includes taking steps to make sure that children aged below two years are equipped with all vaccines, and making certain that these same kids get booster vaccinations between the age group of four and six, and again in Grades 6 and 9. It is also imperative that adults are effectively immunized against diseases comprising tetanus for which a vaccination is suggested every 10 years.

Vaccines offer protection against diseases consisting of diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus, polio, influenza, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox and pneumococcal, meningococcal and human papilloma viruses.

Dr. Richard Stanwick, VIHA’s Chief Medical Health Officer, in a press release said, “Immunization is the best defense in the battle to control and eliminate infectious diseases”.

He added that vaccination is a successful way to make sure that children, families and societies remain healthy.

Diseases like measles, polio and diphtheria have almost vanished in Canada and across the globe as a direct outcome of inoculation programs.

Newer vaccines for varicella (chicken pox), pneumococcal and meningococcal illnesses are making prevention endeavors even more effectual.