Nunavummiut asked to participate in National Immunization Awareness Week

The Department of Health is asking Nunavummiut to stay up to date on recommended vaccinations to protect their families, friends and communities from preventable diseases, and participate in the upcoming National Immunization Awareness Week. This annual event highlights the importance of immunization, and this year’s theme is ‘Protect your future. Get immunized!’

Routine vaccinations are important for everyone but are especially critical for infants and toddlers. Vaccinations protect your child from serious illness or disease and keep other children safe by reducing the risk of spreading preventable diseases from child to child.

Most of your child’s vaccinations are completed between birth and six years of age. Many vaccines are given more than once, at different ages and in different combinations.

As children grow, the protection they received against diseases from routine childhood vaccines, such as measles, chickenpox, or tetanus, begins to wear off. For the protection to continue, various booster doses are required.

To find out what immunizations are needed in childhood and adolescence to ensure protection against disease, visit the Government of Nunavut website or talk to your local health provider.