The Ontario Medical Association and the Middlesex-London Health Unit underscored the importance of being immunized at an event this afternoon at Banting House National Historic Site.
The World Health Organization calls vaccine hesitancy one of the top ten threats to health across the globe.. World-wide, there is growing concern about the increasing number of parents who are unsure about the safety of childhood vaccinations.
“On behalf of Ontario’s 31,500 practicing doctors I want to say that vaccines work, vaccines are safe, vaccines are vital to the health and wellbeing of us all, and parents should not be swayed by any information they hear to the contrary,” says Dr. Sohail Gandhi, President, Ontario Medical Association.
Vaccination is one of the most successful public health interventions in history. It has led to the elimination and control of dangerous and infectious diseases such as smallpox, polio, diphtheria, measles, and pertussis (whooping cough). Not so many years ago, these diseases caused many Canadian children to become severely ill or die.
Measles, for example, can cause pneumonia, encephalopathy (brain inflammation), and/or serious problems even years after the initial infection. Children are more vulnerable and can become very sick very quickly, sometimes within hours of becoming infected. Measles spreads aggressively to people who are not vaccinated.
“From the data we’ve gathered, we know that vaccination is the norm in our communities,” says Dr. Chris Mackie, Medical Officer of Health with the Middlesex-London Health Unit. “With so much misinformation spreading online, we need parents to talk to each other about the importance of vaccination, and why they are vaccinating their children.”
Parents want to make the best decisions for their children – but 63% of parents in Canada admit to looking for immunization information on the Internet, and half of these just do a random Google search. This is very concerning because many of the claims circulating about vaccination on websites and social networks is inaccurate or negative.
That’s why the OMA has launched a multi-channel public relations, social media and advocacy campaign to target the spread of anti-vaccine myths using the hashtag AskOntarioDocs. For more information about the campaign or to listen to the podcast or view the fact sheet visit askontariodoctors.ca.
About the OMA
The Ontario Medical Association represents Ontario’s 43,000 plus physicians, medical students and retired physicians, advocating for and supporting doctors while strengthening the leadership role of doctors in caring for patients. Our vision is to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario’s health-care system.
About the Middlesex-London Health Unit:
The Middlesex-London Health Unit is a key part of the local health system that promotes healthy living and identifies community needs. Staff members work in schools and in immunization clinics; they also support families and inspect a wide range of businesses and facilities including personal service settings, swimming pools and spas, restaurants, and other businesses that sell food. The Health Unit conducts local research and works with decision makers to create bylaws and guidelines that encourage healthier communities.
For more information, please contact:
OMA Media Relations at 416.340.2862 or toll-free at 1.800.268.7215, extension 2862
media@oma.org @OntariosDoctors
Or:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit
519-663-5317, extension 2469 or 519-617-0570