Learn about Immunization

One hundred years ago, infectious diseases were the leading cause of death worldwide. In Canada, they now cause less than 5% of all deaths – thanks in part to immunization programs across the country.

Immunization protects individuals and communities by preventing the spread of disease. As more people are immunized the disease risk for everyone is reduced. Immunization has probably saved more lives in Canada in the last 50 years than any other health intervention. Immunization is the single most cost-effective health investment, making it a cornerstone in the effort to promote health.

Immunization is one of the most important and cost-effective public health innovations. In Canada, immunization has saved more lives than any other health intervention, and has contributed to the reduction in morbidity and mortality in adults, children and other vulnerable populations. Without immunizations, we can expect to see serious outbreaks of many diseases that we are now protected against.

Immunization doesn’t just protect the people who get immunized – it protects those around them too. When a majority of the people in a community are immunized against a disease, it greatly reduces the chances of that disease spreading in the community, protecting people such as infants who are too young to be immunized and those who are not able to get immunized due to medical reasons.

There are many resources available to you to learn about vaccines and immunization. Immunize Canada has gathered resources from trusted sources and collected them under headings on the left of your screen. If you cannot find what you are looking for, contact us, or contact your doctor, nurse, pharmacist or local public health office. You'll find downloadable resources on this page of our website.