Vaccines have done their job in protecting Moose Jaw and area's population from strains of deadly diseases over the years.

National Immunization Awareness Week is coming to the city and it's a good reminder of what vaccines and immunizations have done in the past.

Dr. Mark Vooght with the provincial health authority, said the week will take place April 20-27. :

“What we want people to be aware of is to do their part, in protecting the community,” said Vooght. “And the way these vaccines protect the community is by protecting from deadly diseases.”

While most children are immunized against some of the deadly diseases like measles, meningitis and whooping cough, Vooght advises checking with your doctor to make sure your immunizations have been all up to date.

Nurse practitioners and public health can let you know what you may be missing when it comes to vaccines.

“You can just phone up public health and they can do the research for you and see which immunizations you’ve had,” Vooght said. “And you can share your immunization history with your physician, nurse practitioner or public health nurse.”

A proper immunization strategy doesn't stop at childhood.

“Adults, in the main are out there in the workforce, it’s important for them to be well-immunized,” he said. “Whether they’re in health care or not in health care. They also need their boosters done.”

Vooght said that includes tetanus boosters and annual influenza shots.

“And health care workers need a whole bunch of vaccines to make sure they’re up to date with those,” he said.

The effects of diseases like measles, whooping cough and influenza have been mitigated significantly by immunizations.

Children in Grade 6 will get hepatitus B shots, which is important in the fight against the spread of the disease.

“That stands people in great stead here in Canada and for travelling abroad,” Vooght said. “We’ve got other great travel vaccines available.”