Get Immunized for National Immunization Awareness Week

April 21-30 is National Immunization Awareness Week 2025. This year’s theme is Don’t let history repeat itself. Protect your future. Get immunized. Maintaining high immunization rates remains a priority, because vaccine preventable diseases still exist and can cause serious illness, permanent damage or death. Many of these diseases are easily spread when people who are unimmunized or under-immunized are in close contact with others.

Immunization rates have been impacted in the past few years by several factors: misinformation about vaccines on social media, lack of a regular health care provider, and missed or delayed immunizations due to the pandemic. 

The health unit assesses immunization records annually and send outs notifications to parents when their child’s record is not up to date. This is due to requirements under the Immunization of School Pupils Act and Early Years Act. Many of these children may have received their immunizations but parents still need to submit proof directly to the Health Unit. Health care providers do not automatically inform the health unit and the health unit does not have access to medical records at individual providers. There are two options:

• CANImmunize is a phone app that provides tracking of your child’s immunizations and allows for secure transmission to the health unit.
• The health unit also has a secure web portal where parents can upload a picture of the immunization record: Online Immunization record submission.

Many of us don’t have knowledge of vaccine preventable diseases because high immunization rates have helped to make these diseases uncommon today. Families are encouraged to ask questions about vaccines, getting immunized and how to stay up to date. Websites that provide you with information from health researchers rather than celebrities are a good place to start. Immunize Canada is a national coalition of non-governmental, professional, health, government, and private sector organizations dedicated to promoting the benefits of immunization. The Canadian Pediatric Society – Caring for Kids website provides immunization information for parents and teens.

If you are unable to book into your own health care provider for immunizations, you may be able to book an appointment for your child at one of the health unit’s immunizations clinics. Book online on the health unit website: https://healthunit.org/clinics-classes/immunization-clinic/.

For more information about immunization and vaccine preventable diseases, visit Immunization - Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit. If you don’t have computer access, call 1-800-660-5853 with immunization questions or to book into a clinic. You can also follow LGLHealthunit on Facebook, X and Instagram.