New Children’s Vaccine Program Launched
New
Children’s Vaccine Program Launched
The McGuinty government recently released details on how it will implement the $156 million Childhood Immunization Program first announced in the spring Budget.
As of July 1st, an estimated 10,000 ‘high-risk’ children in Ontario between the ages of 2 and 4 will be able to get free vaccines against pneumococcal disease – the disease can cause pneumonia, meningitis, ear infections and infections of the blood. Children considered to be ‘high risk’ have weakened immune systems, heart and lung disease or diabetes. As of January 1, 2005, all ‘high risk’ children under 5 years of age, and all children born after January 1, 2004 will be eligible for the free pneumococcal disease vaccine.
Details were also provided about the rollout of the free vaccine program for varicella (Chicken Pox) and meningococcal, both of which commence in September for all children who will be one year of age on or after September 1, 2004.
Parents and caregivers are advised to contact their doctor or local public health unit for more information about the eligibility of their children.
For more information, please visit: http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GPOE/2004/07/02/c0097.html?lmatch=&lang=_e.html
Other news ...
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Funding to Restore Community Use of Schools
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New Children’s Vaccine Program Launched
Source: United Ways of Ontario's Government Relations Bulletin - Issue dd July 23, 2004
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Page last updated July 24, 2004