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
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"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
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