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The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is emphasizing the importance of staying up to date on immunizations, particularly childhood vaccinations, to protect against a range of diseases and viruses.
Dr. David Torr, a medical health officer with the SHA and Area Department Lead for Public Health and Preventive Medicine in the Integrated Rural Area, explained that respiratory viruses like influenza and COVID-19 evolve each year, while diseases such as measles have remained largely unchanged over time.
"We have a number of vaccines that reduce the severity of the illness, complications that arise from the illness, and reduce the risk of hospitalization," Dr. Torr said. "As much as we further development of vaccines, the microorganisms are always on the go changing themselves, so vaccines have to be updated."
In addition to the annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines, Dr. Torr stressed the importance of staying current with childhood vaccinations for diseases such as tetanus, measles, whooping cough, pneumonia, diphtheria, and HPV.
"We know that the microorganisms that cause tetanus are always in the soil, so it's very important to have that [vaccine] because you could fall down and get a cut or even an animal bite can put you at risk of tetanus exposure," he said. "If you get a dirty wound, it's very easy to get tetanus from it."
Dr. Torr also highlighted the need for travellers to stay up to date on immunizations, especially those travelling to countries where certain diseases are more prevalent. He noted that some regions have higher rates of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and measles, and travellers who are not immunized could bring these diseases back to Canada.
"This is what we're seeing with measles out in the east for example," Dr. Torr explained. "Ontario had quite a significant outbreak and Quebec had the same, and more recently, New Brunswick. One person came in with measles from outside the country and the number of secondary cases that have resulted are still rising, it went from five to 25 to 44."
For those looking to book a vaccination or check if they are due for a booster, Dr. Torr encourages residents to contact a public health office or speak with a family physician.