Vaccinations in Ontario

The current paring back of vaccines for children in the United States has allowed us to reflect on our own vaccine schedules to help us make more informed decisions for the children we care for.

We are very fortunate to have a tremendous public health universal childhood immunization program in Ontario. Routine childhood vaccines are available through primary care providers, schools and public health units. The recommendations followed are by NACI, the National Advisory Committee on Immunizations.

There are a couple of thoughts to ponder to allow caregivers to make an informed choice regarding vaccination. These are as follows:

1. Vaccinations are provided in middle school (grades 7 and 8 ) for hepatitis B. Hepatitis B infection is transmitted through a variety of sources. The choice to administer in middle school is because sexual transmission is one of the forms of transmission. However, if you travel to areas of the world where this is highly prevalent, it is possible to contract hepatitis B in other ways, so it might be worth speaking to your provider about early vaccination. In some areas of Canada, the vaccine is provided in infancy. In babies of parents who are hepatitis B carriers, the vaccine is provided at birth.
2. Meningitis is an infection of the covering of the brain. It can have devastating consequences including seizures, neurologic sequelae and even death. There are many different viruses and bacteria that cause meningitis. The most common bacteria to cause meningitis has several subtypes. All children receive the vaccine for the C subtype at the age of 12 months. The vaccine for a combined A,C,Y and W is given in grade 7. There is a vaccine, Bexsero, that covers the B subtype. This is not part of the publicly funded vaccines and can be prescribed by your provider. It is worth raising the question about this vaccine to decide whether you might want this added protection.
3. Finally the Gardasil vaccine, also given in middle school, prevents the human papilloma virus, the virus that causes cervical cancer. It is a very safe vaccine. It is the first time we have been able to prevent a cancer with a safe and effective vaccine.

Consider these three talking points on your next visit to your provider as you consider your child’s vaccine schedule.

 

Dr. Bhooma Bhayana is a family physician in London and the mother of two young men and proud grandmother of three! She continues to find wonder and enjoyment in family practice despite more than 30 years on the job!