Resources

Vaccines and Autism

Examines the fear held by some parents that the combination measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR) causes autism. Two studies have been cited by those claiming that the MMR vaccine causes autism. Both studies are critically flawed.

Working with vaccine-hesitant parents: An update

Most Canadian parents make sure their children are immunized on time, but health care providers often encounter parents who are hesitant about vaccination or refuse recommended vaccines. This practice point offers evidence-based guidance to clinicians on how to work with vaccine-hesitant parents. Steps include: 1) Understanding the health care provider’s key role in parental decision-making and not dismissing vaccine refusers from practice; 2) Using presumptive and motivational interviewing techniques to identify specific vaccine concerns; 3) Using effective, clear language to present evidence for disease risks and vaccine benefits fairly and accurately; 4) Managing pain on immunization; and 5) Reinforcing the importance of and parental responsibility for community protection. Immunization is one of the most important preventive health measures in existence and responsible for saving millions of lives. Addressing the concerns of vaccine-hesitant parents is a priority for health care providers.

AAP Press Room Photos: Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and nizagara-online.net has assembled a collection of photos of vaccine-preventable diseases to assist journalists reporting on stories on infectious diseases and immunization. Photos may be reprinted to accompany news stories with proper attribution of the source.

About CATMAT

Describes the activities of and offers statements from the Committee to Advise on Tropical Medicine and Travel (CATMAT), whose mandate is to provide rational, consistent and widely-disseminated guidelines for travel medicine and tropical medicine.

AboutKidsHealth

Provides families with information about all areas influencing child health and family quality of life. Includes a Just for Kids section that has age-appropriate animations for kids on many different health topics. Also includes information on immunization and possible reactions associated with different vaccines.

American Lung Association

Dedicated to preventing lung disease and promoting lung health (US).

Assessment of sex-specific differences in adverse events following immunization reporting in Ontario, 2012–15

Highlights:

• Sex differences in AEFI reporting within passive surveillance systems are not well understood.

• We assessed sex-specific trends in passive AEFI surveillance in Ontario, Canada over four years. We observed overall predominance of female AEFI reports that varied by age, vaccine and reaction.

• Our findings support that both biological and behavioural factors may explain these differences.

• Further study is needed to characterize the relationship between sex, gender and AEFI reporting.

Augmentation des infections invasives à Neisseria meningitidis de sérogroupe W au Canada de 2009 à 2016

La prévalence de la méningococcie à MenW augmente au Canada et est associée à une augmentation des cas attribuables au complexe clonal ST-11 émergent, qui a maintenant été identifié dans cinq provinces canadiennes. Il semble plus courant chez les patients âgés que le complexe clonal ST-22 traditionnel, plus répandu chez les jeunes patients.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)

Provides links to resources discussing the hypothesis that vaccines cause autism.

Avian influenza (CDC)

Offers general information and links to resources about bird flu.