Immunization Rates

Definition

Immunization rates measure the percentage of 2-year-olds who have had the complete set of vaccinations for measles, mumps and rubella.

Why This Matters

Vaccination is generally considered to be one of the greatest public health achievements in modern times, and, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC): “Immunization has saved more lives in Canada than any other health intervention” (PHAC, 2006).

Measurement and Limitations

Immunization rates measure the percentage of 2-year-olds who have completed their immunization schedules for measles, mumps and rubella (two doses). Measles vaccine is available as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) or measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine. The efficacy of a single dose of measles vaccine given at 12 or 15 months of age is estimated to be 85% to 95%. With a second dose, efficacy is almost 100%.

The requirement for completion for measles is two doses, and the requirement for rubella and mumps is one dose. However, since they are all given together (they are not currently available as separate vaccines in Canada), complete coverage for MMR is considered to be two doses.

Routine childhood immunization: 2 doses of any measles-containing (MMR or MMRV) vaccine. The first dose of measles-containing vaccine should be administered at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose at 18 months of age or any time thereafter, but no later than around school entry.

Data Source

Public Health Information Management System (PHIMS), maintained by Manitoba Health. (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/surveillance/immunization/index.html

Data is updated on Peg as it becomes available from the data providers.

References

Hilderman T., Katz, A., Derksen, S., McGowan, K., Chateau, D., Kurbis, C., Allison, S., & Reimer, J.N. (2011, April). Manitoba Immunization Study. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy. Retrieved from http://mchp-appserv.cpe.umanitoba.ca/reference/MB_Immunization_Report_WEB.pdf

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). (2020). Measles Vaccine: Canadian immunization guide: Retrieved from: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/canadian-immunization-guide-part-4-active-vaccines/page-12-measles-vaccine.html

 
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Immunization Rates in the Sustainable Development Goals

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3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being for all at all ages is essential to sustainable development. Significant strides have been made in increasing life expectancy and reducing some of the common killers associated with child and maternal mortality. Major progress has been made on increasing access to clean water and sanitation, reducing malaria, tuberculosis, polio and the spread of HIV/AIDS. However, many more efforts are needed to fully eradicate a wide range of diseases and address many different persistent and emerging health issues.