Itchy, blistering lesions cover your body. You probably have a fever, a headache, and a strong desire to scratch. You just want it to go away; but there’s no cure. You’ve got to let the chickenpox run its course.
Sounds like a pleasant experience, doesn’t it?
Thankfully, the highly contagious illness is declining in Ontario – all thanks to the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine.
Last week, the Canadian Press reported the great success of the chickenpox vaccination program: that there has been a 71 per cent drop in children seeing the doctor, or visiting the emergency room, for chicken pox since the program launched in 2004.
The itch that was once like initiation into childhood is becoming less of a commonality, and more of a nostalgic remembrance for parents who battled the pox in their youth.
Below are four of many other examples of illnesses that vaccines have shown who’s boss:
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Vaccines: they work
Polio
- Crippled tens of thousands of Canadians pre-vaccine
- Can permanently damage muscle-controlling nerves
- Because of immunizations, Canada has been polio-free for over 20 years
Diphtheria
- Previously the most common cause of death for children under 5
- Since vaccine was introduced: 100% decrease in the # of cases in Canada
Mumps
- Causes painful swelling in the cheeks and neck
- Thanks to immunizations, number of cases in Canada: decreased by 99%
Smallpox
- 30% mortality rate pre-vaccine
- Eradicated worldwide for more than 30 years
Sources: Public Agency of Canada, World Health Organization
More health tips at health.sunnybrook.ca
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For more information on vaccines and immunization schedules, visit the Public Agency of Canada’s website.
