Why immunize?

Five top reasons to immunize

Vaccines have saved more lives in Canada than any other medical intervention in the past 50 years.
According to the World Health Organization, more than two million deaths are prevented worldwide every year due to immunization.
Vaccines are our ‘superheroes’ against disease.
One hundred years ago, infectious diseases were the leading cause of deaths worldwide. In Canada, they now cause less than five per cent of all deaths.

In 2014, the Fraser Valley experienced a measles outbreak with over 400 cases of measles in just four weeks.
Some diseases such as tetanus will never be wiped out. This is because the bacteria that causes tetanus lives in our dirt, dust and soil.
Pertussis (whooping cough) disease does not provide lifelong immunity.

Diseases that are still common in other parts of the world such as measles, polio and diphtheria are only a plane ride away. For example, the Fraser Valley measles outbreak in 2014 flew in on a plane from the Netherlands.
- Make sure your routine recommended immunizations are up to date and protect yourself by getting travel vaccines before you travel.

Because vaccines are given to healthy children and adults, they are strictly monitored and studied by health care professionals.
It takes about 10 years of research and development before a vaccine is even considered for approval by Health Canada. Learn more about vaccine safety.

When you get immunized you help protect everyone around you -- this is called ‘herd immunity’.

Watch this video to see how the herd immunity works:

ImmunizeBC: Why vaccinate?
The risks from the diseases vaccines prevent are much greater than the risks of the vaccines. Immunization is by far your safest bet.
ImmunizeBC: If you choose not to vaccinate your child
Learn about your risks and responsibilities with an unvaccinated child.
I Boost Immunity
Earn a vaccine for someone in need by answering a quiz.
Kids Boost Immunity
Curated lessons with interactive quizzes that mirror your province's science, health and social studies curriculum – all for free. For every quiz that students complete, they will earn a vaccine for someone in need.
Facts vs. myths
Addressing the most commonly held myths about immunizations.