Immunization: A Healthy Choice for You & Your Baby

1. Immunization: A Healthy Choice for You & Your Baby

2. Today’s presentation • Why immunization during and after pregnancy is important • Why immunization is as important choice for your baby • BC’s routine schedule and when to start • Answers to your questions • Where to get your baby’s shots • Where to find more information

3. Section1: Immunization & Pregnancy

4. Immunization is part of a healthy pregnancy Immunizations help protect you and your baby from certain diseases that can cause serious harm.

5. Get a flu shot! It's recommended that you get a flu shot if you are pregnant during flu season. Pregnant women are at higher risk of serious illness and hospitalization from the flu. The flu shot protects you and your baby during pregnancy and even after birth.

6. Ask about other immunizations Other immunizations are sometimes recommended for pregnant women depending on their immunization history, lifestyle, health status, risk of disease and travel plans. Talk to your health care provider about which immunizations are recommended for you.

7. Is it safe to get vaccines during pregnancy? It’s safe to get some vaccines during pregnancy. The flu vaccine is a great example of a vaccine that is safe for pregnant women. Some vaccines should not be given during pregnancy due to a lack of safety data.

8. Catch up after your baby is born! Catch up on any missing immunizations after your baby is born. This helps protect you in future pregnancies and also helps protect your baby from serious diseases during the time they are too young to get immunized.

9. Section 2: Immunization & Your Baby

10. Section 2.1: The importance of getting immunized

11. Immunizations save lives Immunizations (vaccinations, shots) have saved the lives of more babies and children than any other medical intervention in the last 50 years. When you immunize your baby you’re protecting them against illness and serious harms such as meningitis, pneumonia, paralysis, deafness, seizures, brain damage or even death.

12. BC’s childhood immunization program is one of the best in the world. Free vaccines are provided to protect your baby against these 14 diseases: • Diphtheria • Pertussis • Tetanus • Polio • Influenza • Rotavirus • Hepatitis B • Measles • Mumps • Rubella • Haemophilus influenzae type B • Meningococcal disease • Pneumococcal disease • Varicella

13. Section 2.2: Understanding BC’s childhood immunization schedule

14. What age do I start immunizing my baby? Routine immunizations start at 2 months of age. Most vaccines need to be given more than once to build your baby's immunity. That’s why it’s key to follow the schedule. • 1st vaccines, 2 months • 2nd vaccines, 4 months • 3rd vaccines, 6 months • 4th vaccines, 12 months • 5th vaccines, 18 months

15. Why do immunizations start at 2 months of age? To protect your baby as soon as possible, routine immunizations start at 2 months of age. Babies and young children are most at risk for vaccine-preventable diseases during their first 2 years of life. This means that if your baby is not immunized and catches a disease they could get very sick or even die.

16. BC’s childhood immunization schedule:

17. Follow the routine immunization schedule: For best protection, it’s recommended that you follow the routine schedule and get all shots on time. Schedules that delay, withhold or space out vaccines are not recommended and can be risky.

18. Six reasons why it’s best to follow the routine immunization schedule: • The routine schedule is based on the best science of today • The routine is safe and works very well • You will ensure your baby is protected as soon as they can be • You will reduce your baby’s risk of developing anxiety and needle fear • The risk for side effects is the same whether vaccines are given together or separately • You will reduce the number of visits and time spent getting your baby’s shots

19. Your baby’s immune system is able to respond to more than one vaccine at a time. Your baby’s immune system is stronger than you may think. Vaccines do not overwhelm or weaken your baby’s immune system. Instead, they make it strong and ready to fight vaccine-preventable diseases. Scientists estimate that babies could respond to about10,000 vaccines at one time!

20. A better immunization experience!

21. Section 2.3: Answers to your questions

22. Vaccines are very safe Vaccines must pass many safety tests before they are ever given to people. After a vaccine is approved for use, its safety is always monitored. It’s much safer to get the vaccine than to get the disease. Serious side effects from vaccines are very rare. Did you know? Vaccines are one of the most monitor and studied things in medicine because they are given to healthy babies and children.

23. The ingredients in vaccines are safe Vaccines need certain ingredients ensure they work to protect against disease and to keep them safe. These ingredients are carefully tested and are safe in the small amounts used in vaccines.

24. It’s much safer to get the vaccine than to get the disease The diseases vaccines protect against can cause serious illness, long-term disability and even death. The risks from disease are much greater than the risks of a serious side effect from a vaccine.

25. Vaccines do not cause autism Vaccines do not cause autism. The study that suggested a possible link between vaccines and autism was proven false. Many other studies have since been completed and have found absolutely no link between vaccines and autism.

26. Vaccines are still necessary It’s true that many of the diseases vaccines prevent are not as common in Canada as they once were but this is because most children are immunized. If we stop immunizing these diseases will become more common again.

27. Breastfeeding will not fully protect your baby Breastfeeding is important but it will not protect your baby against the specific diseases that vaccines prevent. For some diseases that mothers have been exposed to or immunized against, protective antibodies may be passed to the baby in the breast milk. However, this protection is insufficient and is only temporary.

28. There are no effective alternatives to vaccines Remedies or therapies promoted as alternatives to vaccines do not protect against the germs (viruses and bacteria) that cause vaccine-preventable diseases. A child who has received these products is considered unimmunized and unprotected against diseases.

29. Section 2.4: Where can I get my baby immunized?

30. Where can I get my baby immunized? You can take your baby to your local public health unit to get immunized. Some doctors and nurse practitioners also give vaccines to babies. To avoid waitlists, call to book your child’s 2 month visit soon after they are born. For other visits call well in advance.

31. Keep your baby’s record in safe place Without a record of immunization, or proof of having had a disease, your baby is considered unimmunized and unprotected. Take your baby’s Child Health Passport or immunization record with you to each visit so that your health care provider can fill it out. This is important because health care providers in BC can’t easily share records at this time.

32. Section 2.5: Where can I get more information?

33. Who can answer my questions about immunization? Your doctor, public health nurse or primary health care provider is your best source for questions about immunization.

34. A word about online information When you look online for information about vaccines, it’s important to be aware that not all sources are accurate. For the same reason we get legal advice from lawyers and take our cars to mechanics, it’s important to get your immunization information from reliable sources. If you are concerned about what you read, speak to your health care provider.

35. What are some reliable websites? Here is a list of reliable websites: . • ImmunizeBC.ca:www.immunizebc.ca • Canadian Pediatric Society: http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/ • Immunize Canada: www.immunize.cpha.ca • Public Health Agency of Canada: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/im/

36. Summary • Consider immunizations before, during and after pregnancy • You can give your baby the best protection by following the routine immunization schedule • Vaccines are safe, with huge benefits to your baby’s health • Your primary heath care provider is your best source for questions about immunization • Visit ImmunizeBC.ca for more information