Vaccine-Preventable Respiratory Illnesses

Vaccines help the body's immune system recognize and fight bacteria and viruses that cause disease. They are a safe and effective way of preventing many diseases - and have saved more lives in Canada in the last 50 years than any other medical practice. Because of vaccines, infectious diseases have dropped from the leading cause of death to less than five per cent of all deaths in Canada.

Common infectious diseases that were once a major cause of sickness and death in Canada, mainly among children, are now preventable with vaccines. As the number of people who get immunized increases, the chance of infectious disease spreading decreases. Community-level resistance to the disease becomes stronger in a way that provides a protective barrier for those individuals who cannot be immunized for health reasons, such as illness, age or allergy.

Learn more about the vaccines available in Manitoba and how they can protect you and your loved ones from serious illness:

 

Vaccine-Preventable Illnesses

Immunization is one of the most important accomplishments in public health. Immunizations help eliminate and control the spread of infections and diseases. Over the past 50 years, the World Health Organization estimates that immunizations have saved 154 million lives – about six every minute. Beyond protecting individuals, vaccines ease the strain on health-care systems and reduce economic impacts from hospitalizations, lost productivity and outpatient care.

Manitobans six months of age and older are encouraged to get their free seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines in early fall every year. Vaccine effectiveness against influenza and COVID-19 can vary each year depending on circulating strains but have been demonstrated to reduce severity of illness and reduce physician visits, hospitalizations and deaths. Getting the flu and COVID-19 vaccines each year can allow Manitobans to continue participating in the activities they enjoy and spending time with family and friends.

Information regarding the vaccine-preventable respiratory diseases, including resources for their prevention and the treatment and care of affected individuals in Manitoba, is provided below.

• Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Vaccines
• Manitoba’s Immunization Program: Eligibility Criteria for Vaccines Offered Free-of-Charge
• Routine Immunization Schedules for Children and Adults
• Measles
• Meningococcal disease
• Vaccine Factsheets and Resources
• Your Immunization Record Matters

More questions about vaccination?

Talk to your health care provider, public health nurse or call Health Links – Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257 (toll-free).