Vaccine-Preventable 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:
- 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
Vaccine-Preventable Respiratory Illnesses
Influenza (flu), COVID-19 viruses and the pneumococcal bacteria can cause infections of the nose, throat, airways and lungs (respiratory infections). These infections are spread through the air when someone who is sick talks, coughs or sneezes. They can also be spread through direct contact with someone's secretions such as saliva, or touching objects that can carry and spread disease, including doorknobs or toys, and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.
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.
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).
