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By Curtis Galbraith

Health

AHS asking people to make sure immunizations are current

May 1, 2023 | 6:00 AM

Alberta Health Services wants people to make sure their immunizations are up to date.

North Zone Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jack Pang says while a lot of people do get their shots on time, others don’t know what to get or when to get it… while others refuse to get vaccines.

“It’s important to raise awareness just in the general community and the general public to make sure people are aware that immunizations are safe, they are effective, they prevent a variety of very dangerous diseases.”

Dr. Pang says it is especially important for children to have up to date immunizations as they are most impacted if they catch a preventable disease.

“Alberta Health Services does offer a specific set of publicly funded immunizations. We do have a routine immunization schedule, offering various vaccines for various diseases at different time intervals as they’re indicated.”

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As for adults, Dr. Pang says the tetanus vaccine is recommended every 10 years. They can also get childhood vaccines they may have missed.

He adds there isn’t any one vaccine that is more important than the others.

Dr. Pang cautions there is a lot of misinformation on the internet about vaccines and strongly recommends people talk to a health care professional they trust instead.

“To discuss vaccines, to discuss any concerns that they may have regarding vaccines and get information from reliable sources. From their physician, from their healthcare team, from trusted, official website information such as Health Canada, Alberta Health, WHO, these kinds of really well-known, really solid sources.”

Dr. Pang also recommends to anyone wanting to catch up on their vaccinations, should check with the Public Health Office or call 8-1-1 and book an appointment.