Vaccines are a common part of our childhood.
Vaccines are a common part of our childhood.

But why are they so important?
But why are they so important?

Before I get ahead of myself, let's take it back a little and learn
Before I get ahead of myself, let's take it back a little and learn

about our immune system.
about our immune system.

Our immune system protects us from foreign substances.
Our immune system protects us from foreign substances.

It works to identify what type of germ is making us sick
It works to identify what type of germ is making us sick

and then defend against the germ with an immune response.
and then defend against the germ with an immune response.

Part of this response involves making antibodies: large Y shaped proteins
Part of this response involves making antibodies: large Y shaped proteins

used by the immune system to identify and neutralize germs that enter the body.
used by the immune system to identify and neutralize germs that enter the body.

Our immune system uses these antibodies to tag the germ and get rid of it.
Our immune system uses these antibodies to tag the germ and get rid of it.

But another important part is that the immune system produces
But another important part is that the immune system produces

memory cells that should recognize the germ in the future.
memory cells that should recognize the germ in the future.

Now that we understand
Now that we understand

what the immune system does, let's break it down a little bit more.
what the immune system does, let's break it down a little bit more.

The immune system consists of two different systems.
The immune system consists of two different systems.

The innate immune system is our first line of defense.
The innate immune system is our first line of defense.

It is present from birth.
It is present from birth.

It acts quickly and can defend against many infectious agents.
It acts quickly and can defend against many infectious agents.

It can be effective, but it's not very complex.
It can be effective, but it's not very complex.

It doesn't always get rid of germs and it does not recognize them.
It doesn't always get rid of germs and it does not recognize them.

This is why infants are so vulnerable to infectious diseases.
This is why infants are so vulnerable to infectious diseases.

Our second line of defense is the adaptive immune system.
Our second line of defense is the adaptive immune system.

It is activated when they need defenses are overcome.
It is activated when they need defenses are overcome.

It will respond differently depending on the type of germ that is infected us.
It will respond differently depending on the type of germ that is infected us.

It is activated over five to ten days, and it will target a specific germ.
It is activated over five to ten days, and it will target a specific germ.

If you're like
If you're like

me, you might be wondering, where do vaccines come in?
me, you might be wondering, where do vaccines come in?

Well, vaccines work by pre-activating your adaptive immune system.
Well, vaccines work by pre-activating your adaptive immune system.

This is where antigens come into play.
This is where antigens come into play.

Antigens are critical to developing vaccines.
Antigens are critical to developing vaccines.

Antigens are any foreign substance found on the surface
Antigens are any foreign substance found on the surface

of the germ or toxins it makes.
of the germ or toxins it makes.

It will create an immune response in the body.
It will create an immune response in the body.

The germ triggers the body to fight back.
The germ triggers the body to fight back.

We use antigens in vaccines, and they can be made in several ways.
We use antigens in vaccines, and they can be made in several ways.

Sometimes they're made using killed or weakened versions of the germ
Sometimes they're made using killed or weakened versions of the germ

or parts of the germ.
or parts of the germ.

Sometimes we use genetic engineering to make antigens,
Sometimes we use genetic engineering to make antigens,

and sometimes we use our cells to make antigens.
and sometimes we use our cells to make antigens.

Any way you slice it, we are using a controlled version of an antigen.
Any way you slice it, we are using a controlled version of an antigen.

The whole point of vaccines is to expose your body to a molecule
The whole point of vaccines is to expose your body to a molecule

that is a copy of what is found on the germ is recognizable as foreign
that is a copy of what is found on the germ is recognizable as foreign

and creates an immune response without us getting sick from the germ.
and creates an immune response without us getting sick from the germ.

Vaccines activate our adaptive immune response,
Vaccines activate our adaptive immune response,

which will recognize and target specific germs.
which will recognize and target specific germs.

This all means that our defense against
This all means that our defense against

the germs will be much faster the second time
the germs will be much faster the second time

around.
around.

Canadian children
Canadian children

are routinely vaccinated against several diseases.
are routinely vaccinated against several diseases.

Many provinces require that children are up to date on their vaccinations
Many provinces require that children are up to date on their vaccinations

for at least nine infectious diseases to attend public schools
for at least nine infectious diseases to attend public schools

throughout their childhood.
throughout their childhood.

Most are vaccinated against 14 infectious diseases
Most are vaccinated against 14 infectious diseases

Infants and children are at greater risk from vaccine preventable diseases because
Infants and children are at greater risk from vaccine preventable diseases because

their immune systems are less mature and less able to fight off infection.
their immune systems are less mature and less able to fight off infection.

Getting one of these diseases could be life threatening to an infant or a child.
Getting one of these diseases could be life threatening to an infant or a child.

Vaccinating children, starting at two months old
Vaccinating children, starting at two months old

gives them the best protection as early as possible.
gives them the best protection as early as possible.

Combination vaccines have two or more antigens in the same formulation.
Combination vaccines have two or more antigens in the same formulation.

This approach has been used for over 50 years.
This approach has been used for over 50 years.

Before a combination vaccine is approved for use
Before a combination vaccine is approved for use

studies must show that the combination vaccine is just as safe and effective
studies must show that the combination vaccine is just as safe and effective

as each of the individual vaccines given separately.
as each of the individual vaccines given separately.

Combining antigens can lead to an overall reduction in adverse reactions
Combining antigens can lead to an overall reduction in adverse reactions

and make getting vaccinated easier for children and those with needle fear.
and make getting vaccinated easier for children and those with needle fear.

The immune system can respond to millions of antigens at once,
The immune system can respond to millions of antigens at once,

so there's no evidence that a combination vaccine will overwhelm the immune system.
so there's no evidence that a combination vaccine will overwhelm the immune system.

Babies, children and adults can get multiple vaccines at the same visit.
Babies, children and adults can get multiple vaccines at the same visit.

Most of the vaccines that protect us require at least two doses,
Most of the vaccines that protect us require at least two doses,

and many require up to four doses
and many require up to four doses

in a span of about 18 months.
in a span of about 18 months.

Take diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio
Take diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio

and serious diseases like meningitis, for instance.
and serious diseases like meningitis, for instance.

In many provinces, children are vaccinated at two,
In many provinces, children are vaccinated at two,

four, six and eighteen months with a combination vaccine
four, six and eighteen months with a combination vaccine

that protects them against all five of these diseases.
that protects them against all five of these diseases.

Children will again be boosted against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis
Children will again be boosted against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis

and polio between two and four years old and boosted
and polio between two and four years old and boosted

against tetanus and diphtheria again at age 14
against tetanus and diphtheria again at age 14

to 16 years old. It is recommended that adults get at least one pertussis vaccine
to 16 years old. It is recommended that adults get at least one pertussis vaccine

and are boosted every ten years against tetanus and diphtheria.
and are boosted every ten years against tetanus and diphtheria.

What's important to remember is that vaccines are a regular part of our lives.
What's important to remember is that vaccines are a regular part of our lives.

It just might be hard to remember because most vaccinations
It just might be hard to remember because most vaccinations

occur when we're young and infrequently as adults.
occur when we're young and infrequently as adults.

Here are some more vaccines.
Here are some more vaccines.

Children receive a combination MMRV vaccine that will protect them against measles,
Children receive a combination MMRV vaccine that will protect them against measles,

mumps, rubella, and chickenpox, also called varicella.
mumps, rubella, and chickenpox, also called varicella.

The first dose is given at 12 months and then the second dose at 18 months.
The first dose is given at 12 months and then the second dose at 18 months.

Two doses of these vaccine give above 97% protection against these diseases.
Two doses of these vaccine give above 97% protection against these diseases.

But for diseases like measles, which is extremely infectious,
But for diseases like measles, which is extremely infectious,

at least 95% of the population needs to be
at least 95% of the population needs to be

immunized to prevent outbreaks in unvaccinated groups.
immunized to prevent outbreaks in unvaccinated groups.

This is the reason it is very
This is the reason it is very

important to make sure your child's vaccines are up to date.
important to make sure your child's vaccines are up to date.

It is also an important reminder that being vaccinated is only part of it.
It is also an important reminder that being vaccinated is only part of it.

A vaccinated population helps with public health.
A vaccinated population helps with public health.

We collectively create layers of protection to stop infections
We collectively create layers of protection to stop infections

for ourselves and others.
for ourselves and others.

Remember, we're all in this together.
Remember, we're all in this together.

Some other important vaccines are given in grade six or seven.
Some other important vaccines are given in grade six or seven.

Two doses of vaccines against hepatitis B
Two doses of vaccines against hepatitis B

and human papillomavirus or HPV.
and human papillomavirus or HPV.

The HPV vaccine contains protection against nine
The HPV vaccine contains protection against nine

different strains of the virus that are known to cause cancer.
different strains of the virus that are known to cause cancer.

The use of this vaccine has reduced the incidence of cancer by 80%.
The use of this vaccine has reduced the incidence of cancer by 80%.

That's incredible.
That's incredible.

None of these vaccines provide 100% protection against infection.
None of these vaccines provide 100% protection against infection.

But when the vaccines are administered routinely
But when the vaccines are administered routinely

and you have a highly vaccinated population, the number of germs
and you have a highly vaccinated population, the number of germs

circulating in the population is greatly reduced, and therefore the
circulating in the population is greatly reduced, and therefore the

likelihood of infection is also greatly reduced.
likelihood of infection is also greatly reduced.

Many of these vaccines
Many of these vaccines

need to be delivered once every few months to create a lasting immune response.
need to be delivered once every few months to create a lasting immune response.

But even then, our immunity wanes against many diseases, some faster than others.
But even then, our immunity wanes against many diseases, some faster than others.

It's as simple as this vaccines work.
It's as simple as this vaccines work.

If your child has missed getting a vaccine dose, you do not need to start over.
If your child has missed getting a vaccine dose, you do not need to start over.

Keeping your child on schedule will ensure that they are protected
Keeping your child on schedule will ensure that they are protected

as soon as possible.
as soon as possible.

But it's never too late to catch up.
But it's never too late to catch up.

Talk to your health care provider
Talk to your health care provider

about a catch up schedule that can get your child back on track.
about a catch up schedule that can get your child back on track.

The past few years have been tough on all of us.
The past few years have been tough on all of us.

Routine public health measures have suffered.
Routine public health measures have suffered.

But you can do your part to help bolster our collective well-being.
But you can do your part to help bolster our collective well-being.

Connect with your local public health unit
Connect with your local public health unit

to figure out how to get back on schedule.
to figure out how to get back on schedule.

Thank you for watching and be sure to follow us
Thank you for watching and be sure to follow us

on our social media channels.
on our social media channels.