Free vaccines for kids in Ont.

News Release
Min. of Health

The McGuinty government today announced that new vaccinations for meningitis and chicken pox will be available beginning September 1 - part of Ontario’s free childhood immunization program.
“The pursuit of good health and prevention must begin with children,” Smitherman said. “Our free childhood immunization program will spare children from the devastating impact of these preventable diseases.”
Starting September 1, 2004, children born on or after September 1, 2003 will be eligible to receive free vaccines for meningitis (meningococcal C- conjugate) and chicken pox (varicella) on or shortly after their first birthday.
The government is investing $156 million over three years to add the three new vaccinations for pneumococcal disease, chicken pox and meningitis.
This plan will see 3.3 million Ontario children vaccinated without charge. The three new free vaccines will save parents more than $600 per child.
The government is also launching a public education program to make parents and health care providers aware of the new three immunizations -including for invasive pneumococcal disease, which was introduced on July 1 for high-risk children, aged two to four.
The program will be fully implemented on January 1, 2005, when all children born on or after January 1, 2004 will have access to the three vaccines as part of routine immunization.
“Ontario is one of the only provinces that immunizes children free of charge against chicken pox and meningitis.” Smitherman said. “This is another big step in our plan to transform this province’s health care system into one that protects children, helps families, and benefits all Ontarians.”
“Childhood immunizations speak to the goal we all have as parents, to keep our children healthy and safe. Through my years as a medical officer of health, and as a practicing pediatrician, I have seen first-hand significant tragedy for children and their families from what are now preventable diseases,” said Dr. Robin Williams, Medical Officer of Health for the Niagara Region. “Every child deserves the best possible start to their early years, and this includes equal protection through the provision of these vaccines for meningitis and chicken pox.”
The rash appears anywhere on the body as raised red blisters that are
extremely itchy. Some children have only a few blisters while others can have
as many as 500.
The child will be most infectious (contagious) to others one to two days
before the rash appears, and until these blisters dry up and form scabs in
four to five days.

How do you get chicken pox?

Chicken pox is extremely contagious. It spreads very quickly from person
to person. The most common way the infection is spread is through the air if
someone with chicken pox coughs or sneezes. You can also get chicken pox if
you touch a blister or the liquid from a blister.
A pregnant woman with chicken pox can pass it on to her baby (fetus)
before birth. Mothers with chicken pox can also give it to their newborn baby
after birth.

Why is the varicella vaccine important?

In about five to 10 per cent of healthy children, chicken pox infection
can lead to more serious problems such as:
- bacterial skin infections and/or necrotizing fasciitis
(“flesh-eating disease”)
- pneumonia (infection of the lungs)
- encephalitis (infection of the brain)
- infection of other sites (e.g., blood)
- birth defects may occur if the baby gets chicken pox from their
mothers before they are born.

Chicken pox can be very severe or even life-threatening to newborn
babies, and anyone who has a weak immune system.
The vaccine is recommended for children 12 months of age and older
because until then, babies have maternal antibodies (transferred from mother
to baby near the end of pregnancy), which interfere with the vaccine. By their
first birthday, most babies have lost the maternal antibodies and can be
successfully vaccinated.

How effective is the vaccine?

It is estimated that the varicella vaccine will offer 70 to 90 per cent
protection against chicken pox of any severity and over 95 per cent protection
against severe varicella for at least seven to 10 years after vaccination.

Who is eligible to receive the publicly funded vaccine?

In Ontario, starting on September 1, 2004, children who were born on or
after September 1, 2003 will be able to get a single dose of the publicly
funded vaccine on or shortly after their first birthday.
In January 2005, the publicly funded vaccine will be available for
susceptible five-year-old children (who have not had chicken pox) as well as
people with medical conditions that put them at increased risk for
complications due to chicken pox (e.g., people taking long-term salicylic acid
therapy, people with cystic fibrosis and certain immunocompromised persons).

Are there side effects from the vaccine?

Most reactions tend to be mild and include some soreness, redness,
itching and/or a rash where the needle was given. A low-grade fever
(approximately 38 degrees C) may occur.
Some children may get a very mild case of chicken pox one or two weeks
after they get the vaccine but are not likely to be contagious. Severe
reactions are rare.
Please report any side effects or severe vaccine reaction to your
doctor/nurse practitioner or local public health unit.

Who should not get the vaccine?

Children should not receive the vaccine if they:
- have allergies to the vaccine or any component of the vaccine
- have already had chicken pox.

Special consideration is needed for children with weakened immune systems
or those on medications to suppress their immune system.
Pregnant women should not be vaccinated.

You should always discuss the benefits and risks of any vaccine with your
doctor/nurse practitioner or local public health unit.

When should I call my doctor/nurse practitioner?

Call your doctor/nurse practitioner or go to the nearest hospital
emergency department if your child has any of the following symptoms within
three days of getting the needle:
- hives
- swelling of the mouth and throat
- trouble breathing, hoarseness or wheezing
- high fever (over 40 degrees C or 104 degrees F)
- convulsions or seizures
- other serious reaction to the vaccine.

Who should I talk to if I have any questions?

For more information see your doctor/nurse practitioner or call your
local public health unit.

How do I keep track of my child’s immunizations?

After your child receives any immunization, make sure his/her personal
immunization record (sometimes called the Yellow Card), is updated. Keep it in
a safe place!

This fact sheet provides basic information only. It must not take the
place of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to a
healthcare professional about any health concerns you have, and before
you make any changes to your diet, lifestyle or treatment.

How are children protected against invasive meningococcal disease (IMD)?

Vaccines or needles are the best way to protect children against some
very serious infections. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization
(NACI) strongly recommends routine immunization.
The meningococcal C-conjugate vaccine protects children against illness
due to IMD serogroup C (IMD-C) and its complications.

What is invasive meningococcal disease (IMD)?

IMD is a serious disease caused by a specific strain of bacteria,
Neisseria meningitidis. There are several strains (serogroups) of the bacteria
that cause IMD; serogroups A, B, C, W-135, and Y are the most common.
IMD often affects previously healthy people of all ages; they can become
extremely ill rapidly. IMD can lead to serious infections of the blood
(septicaemia), and the covering of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).

How do you get invasive meningococcal disease?

The bacteria that cause IMD actually live naturally in the body, in
particular, at the back of the nose and throat. Up to 10 per cent of the
population carry the bacteria at any time, however, most people never develop
active disease (IMD). The bacteria is spread through droplets in the air from
coughing or sneezing. Bacteria from the saliva of an infected person can be
spread when common items are shared, e.g., beverages (bottles, straws),
cigarettes, toothbrushes, lipstick.

What is serogroup C?

Serogroup C is a specific strain or serogroup of IMD (IMD-C) and can
result in severe long-term health complications or death. Persons who have
been infected with IMD-C may experience skin scars, amputations, hearing loss
and kidney problems.

Why is the meningococcal C-conjugate vaccine important?

Serogroup C has been almost exclusively responsible for localized
clusters or outbreaks of IMD in schools and communities. In Ontario, many of
the cases of IMD-C are in adolescents and young adults.
The meningococcal C-conjugate has long-lasting protection against IMD-C.

Will this vaccine protect against other serogroups of IMD?

This vaccine only provides protection against IMD caused by serogroup C
Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. It will not protect against other serogroups
of invasive meningococcal disease, or other organisms that cause meningitis
(infection of the brain or spinal cord) or septicaemia (infection of the
blood).

How effective is the vaccine?

In the United Kingdom the effectiveness of the meningococcal C-conjugate
vaccine in children aged 1 to 17 years ranged from 87 to 100 per cent.
Following a large-scale immunization program, the number of deaths due to
IMD-C in people under 20 years of age fell by 91 per cent.

Who is eligible to receive the publicly funded vaccine?

People who have been in close contact with a person who has IMD-C are at
greatest risk of infections. These people are already eligible to receive the
meningococcal C-conjugate vaccine free of charge.
Starting on September 1, 2004, children born on or after September 1,
2003 will be able to get a single dose of the publicly funded vaccine on or
shortly after their first birthday.
Beginning in January 2005, the publicly funded vaccine will be available
for children aged 12 years and youth aged 15 to 19 years as well as people
with medical conditions (e.g., functional or anatomic asplenia or complement,
properdin or factor D deficiency) that put them at an increased risk of IMD.

Are there side effects from the vaccine?

Most reactions tend to be mild and include soreness, redness, itching
and/or rash where the needle was given. Other side effects such as headache,
dizziness, and nausea may occur.
Severe reactions are rare.
Please report any side effects or severe vaccine reactions to your
doctor/nurse practitioner or local public health unit.

Who should not get the vaccine?

Persons should not receive the vaccine if they have allergies to the
vaccine or any component to the vaccine.
Safety in pregnancy has not been documented.

You should always discuss the benefits and risks of any vaccine with your
doctor/nurse practitioner or local public health unit.

When should I call my doctor/nurse practitioner?

You should call your doctor/nurse practitioner or go to the nearest
hospital emergency department if your child develops any of the following
symptoms within three days of getting the needle:
- hives
- swelling of the mouth and throat
- trouble breathing, hoarseness or wheezing
- high fever (over 40 degrees C or 104 degrees F)
- convulsions or seizures
- other serious reaction to the vaccine.

Who should I talk to if I have any questions?

For more information see your doctor/nurse practitioner or call your
local public health unit.

How do I keep track of my child’s immunizations?

After your child receives any immunization, make sure his/her personal
immunization record (sometimes called the Yellow Card) is updated. Keep it in
a safe place!

Find out more

For information about health services and resources:
www.health.gov.on.ca

For consumer-friendly health tips and information:
www.HealthyOntario.com

INFOline: 1-877-234-4343 toll free in Ontario
TTY: 1-800-387-5559

Telehealth Ontario: 1-866-797-0000
TTY: 1-866-797-0007

Or call your local public health unit.

Version française disponible en communiquant avec le
1 877 234-4343 ATS : 1 800 387-5559
Web www.SanteOntario.com

For further information: Members of the media: Eva Lannon, Minister’s
Office, (416) 327-4320; Dan Strasbourg, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care,
(416) 314-6197; Members of the general public: (416) 327-4327, or
(800) 268-1154