MHIKNET-L April 2011

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Manitoba Immunization Study from the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy

by Carol Friesen

Manitoba Immunization Study completed Researchers from the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy in the Faculty of Medicine have completed The Manitoba Immunization Study, the most comprehensive analysis of Manitoba’s immunization programs ever performed. They looked at childhood and adult immunization rates in the province from April 1, 2000 to March 31, 2008, the impact of immunizations and the safety of vaccines. The University of Manitoba research found immunization rates for two-year-old children in Manitoba were stable over the eight years studied. The universal program helps protect kids from a number of diseases such as tetanus, diphtheria and measles. Newly introduced vaccinations like chicken pox have already led to a decline in hospitalizations. Factors that appear to influence the immunization rates for children are the size of a family, family income, the age of the mother and the ability to see the same healthcare provider regularly. Regional variations also appear to influence vaccination coverage rates in children. The study also found that generally children in northern communities are less likely to be vaccinated than those in the south of the province. Researchers looked at shots for flu and pneumonia in adults with a specific focus on three groups: pregnant women and women with a newborn, people older than 64, and people with chronic illness like diabetes. Manitobans 65 and over have the highest rate of immunizations and people with chronic illness have higher immunization rates than those without illness. Flu immunization reduced hospitalization and mortality in those over 65. The study recommended that Manitobans should get immunizations as a way of preventing disease. Finally, the researchers noted that nothing in the report was found to link vaccinations with rare disorders like Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a concern that prevents some people from getting vaccinations. The report can be downloaded here: http://mchp-appserv.cpe.umanitoba.ca/deliverablesList.html For more information, contact: Jack Rach Communications Officer Manitoba Centre for Health Policy Phone: (204) 789-3669 -- Carol Friesen MA, MLIS Manitoba Health Outreach Librarian Manitoba Health Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library University of Manitoba Phone at MH: 788-6477 Phone at NJM Health Sciences Library: 480-1391 Email: carol_friesen(a)umanitoba.ca http://mhiknet.lib.umanitoba.ca This email and/or any documents in this transmission is intended for the addressee(s) only and may contain legally privileged or confidential information. Any unauthorized use, disclosure, distribution, copying or dissemination is strictly prohibited. If you receive this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately and return the original. Ce courriel et tout document dans cette transmission est destiné à la personne ou aux personnes à qui il est adressé. Il peut contenir des informations privilégiées ou confidentielles. Toute utilisation, divulgation, distribution, copie, ou diffusion non autorisée est strictement défendue. Si vous n'êtes pas le destinataire de ce message, veuillez en informer l'expéditeur immédiatement et lui remettre l'original.

11 years, 11 months

What Your Patient Reads: Should every fever be treated?

by MHIKNET Library Services

"What Your Patient Reads" are one-page summaries of health-related media reports that are supplemented with references to evidence-based medical literature. Please let me know if you would like to receive any of the full-text articles cited in the attached issue, on the topic of treating fevers in children. Summary: On February 28, the CBC News reported on recent research regardingDescription: http://www.umanitoba.ca/libraries/health/images/WYPR_fever.jpg fever and children. Dr. Farrar, co-author of the report states that parental anxiety about their child's fever often results in over treatment. Most often a child's fever is caused by viruses and will go away without medicine. There is no proof that untreated fevers lead to seizures or brain damage and there is also no evidence that lowering fevers reduces illness. The report says that: temperatures lower than 38 C (100.4 F) degrees are not considered a fever; there is no harm in treating a true fever with over the counter acetaminophen or ibuprofen; and the number one reason to use fever-reducing medicine is to make the sick child more comfortable. It also emphasizes that fever is not an illness but a mechanism to help fight infection. Fevers can slow the growth of viruses and bacteria and enhance production of immune-system cells. The report does not recommend any temperature cutoff or when to treat or call a doctor, but many physicians recommend calling the doctor if a child's temperature hits 40 or 40.5 C (104 or 105 F). Parents should also pay attention to other symptoms of illness, such as whether the child is unusually cranky, lethargic, not drinking liquids or avoiding food. Exceptions to this rule include infants that are younger than 3 months (seek medical help if temperature rises above 38 C (100.4 F) because young infants can be very sick without showing signs), children with heatstroke, and children with special medical needs (eg. heart conditions). Thanks, Elizabeth Elizabeth Stregger Library Assistant, MHIKNET Library Services Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library 770 Bannatyne Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3 Tel. 204-789-3804 Tel. 1-877-789-3804 Fax: 204-789-3923 mhiknet(a)umanitoba.ca http://mhiknet.lib.umanitoba.ca <http://mhiknet.lib.umanitoba.ca/>

11 years, 11 months

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MHIKNET-L April 2011