Yukoners cautioned to ensure their vaccines are up to date
Yukoners cautioned to ensure their vaccines are up to date
Dr. Brendan Hanley, the Yukon's chief medical officer of health, is pointing to an outbreak of measles affecting Quebec as a reminder to all Yukoners to check their vaccination status when contemplating travel, whether outside the country or outside the territory.
Measles is an acute viral infection that is highly contagious and can have serious complications, he said Wednesday.
The Quebec outbreak is thought to have originated from visitors from France, where as in much of Europe, vaccination rates against measles, mumps, and rubella are much lower than in Canada.
An increase in measles activity is occurring in several parts of the world, notably in several European countries as well as in Africa and Asia.
For more detailed geographical information along with vaccine recommendations, see the recent memo issued from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Given this measles outbreak, in addition to recent outbreaks of pertussis (whooping cough) and mumps in other areas, anyone considering travel outside Yukon or internationally is advised to be up to date with vaccinations, including measles vaccination.
Any group tours travelling outside the territory should ensure that members are up to date with their vaccinations, particularly those which protect against diseases with outbreak potential such as measles, mumps, and pertussis.
People born before 1970 can generally be assumed to have natural immunity to measles.
Those at higher risk, such as health care workers and travellers, need to take extra precautions and should check with their health care providers to ensure that they are protected. For adults born after 1970, two doses of MMR vaccine are required to ensure immunity.
All children should be protected by two doses of MMR vaccine.
The first dose is given on or after the first birthday and the second dose should be given at 18 months of age.
Parents with children who may not be up to date with their vaccinations can bring their children into their community health centre or the Whitehorse Health Centre, especially if travel is being considered.
Yukon travellers can book a travel clinic appointment at their local health facility as early as possible in making their travel plans.
Comments (9)
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Joel on Jun 10, 2011 at 7:24 am
I know this is a useless bit of fact, but I will put them out there anyways, see as there is an outbreak of measles right now that could have been avoided if only people had vaccinated their children.
There was one study that linked vaccines to autism, one. The results have never been replicated although many have tried. Of the doctors and scientists involved in the study, all but one have said that their study was flawed. The one has lost his license and has been discredited by the entire medical and research community.
Anyone can make a good conspiracy theory if they really wanted to. Facts and reality really screw with them though. A few Youtube videos are not proof that 99% of the vaccines are harmful to people.
Based on your thinking "I would rather risk the lives of my children than get them a needle that could avoid many of these diseases"
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No Name on Jun 9, 2011 at 9:06 am
I remember how awful these illnesses were.I usually try to stay out of these conversations, but my brother got almost blind, because of measles. I was very very lucky, I got the vaccine for all three: measles, mumps and chicken pox. Just something to think about.
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Jennifer Smith on Jun 8, 2011 at 7:24 am
No, Francias, I believe everything on Youtube, like you do! Russian roulette! It's a proven fact that it's more dangerous to get german measles, mumps and even chicken pox than it is to get the vaccine. Do you even have children? If you did, I pity them, and wish them luck! Ask all the mothers in third world countries who have to watch their children die from diseases that don't even exist here anymore. Have a great day. I wish you all the best!
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Francias Pillman on Jun 7, 2011 at 2:00 pm
All you guys sound like an after school special. Prove any of your claims. No, you just assume you are right. That is a very dangerous way of thinking. Especially if you brainwash your own children with your propaganda. According to your guys logic, I could say the tree outside your house prevents your family from getting cancer. Do you have cancer right now? No? Well, I guess the tree is working, right? Maybe the first vaccines that humans had, did what they are suppose to do, prevent some types of diseases. I'm talking about today. The proof is out there that 99% of the vaccines pushed upon people do more damage than good. "I would much rather my children got a couple of needles than suffer through any of the horrible diseases that they could possible get" I'm glad your children have such a responsible parent as yourself. You would rather play russian roulette with their health, and future, based on assumptions. Do you believe everything the TV tells you?
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Francias Pillman on Jun 6, 2011 at 11:37 am
Might I add:
Feds Paid Millions To Cover Up Brain Damage And Autism Caused By FORCED Vaccinations
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAyUuJlRgT4
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Joel on Jun 6, 2011 at 8:50 am
And the lies and mis-truths persist....yes, vaccines did not end many of these diseases, the diseases just somehow went away even though the vaccines were the cause....yup makes sense to me.
Here is the problem with this train of thought. Someone decides that they are too smart to get a vaccine(it is your choice). They happen to become a carrier of the disease. Someone else's child who has not been vaccinated gets sick from this person and dies. Does this mean that the person who decided not to get vaccinated is responsible for the death of that child?
It is your choice if you want to take the cure but please don't try to twist the reality of what vaccines actually do.
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Jim Bob on Jun 6, 2011 at 6:09 am
Hey Francias, there you go again with more of your idiotic rantings (which i am sure most Yukoners would prefer you kept to yourself). Unfortunately, you were probably vaccinated but am sure you will deny because you are soooo much better than everyone else. Good for you Jennifer, well done.
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Jennifer Smith on Jun 3, 2011 at 6:38 am
People like you are the reason there are outbreaks of eradicated diseases! I would much rather my children got a couple of needles than suffer through any of the horrible diseases that they could possible get. People don't remember how awful measles, mumps, polio, or any of those other horrible childhood illnesses were! That's because we vaccinate against them now! Don't force your small minded ideas on other people.
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Francias Pillman on Jun 2, 2011 at 1:12 pm
Vaccines create disease, they don't prevent them. Using fear and scare tactics so people take these poisons is morally wrong. My body belongs to me, not some faceless pharmaceutical company who's sole purpose is to create a pill or vaccine that doesn't do a thing except make them money.