Yellowknife (Sep 19/03) - Community and public health nurses are preparing for their seasonal immunization programs.

Although totals have remained the same or slightly decreased for most diseases in the NWT since 2000, late October or early November is still the time to consider getting immunization shots, especially the influenza vaccine.

According to Wanda White, communicable disease specialist at the Department of Health and Social Services, the protective levels are highest the first four to five months post immunization. That will give the vaccine recipient protection throughout the typical flu season.

"Influenza is what we worry about most," said White. "The vaccine changes each year and it is important people are aware of this."

White explained that there are still a high number of Hepatitis B cases in the North, which are passed through sexual activity or infected blood and blood products, and chlamydia cases, which are only transmitted sexually. There is no vaccination to prevent chlamydia, but a vaccine shot for Hepatitis B is usually issued to Grade 4 students and believed to protect for life.

"We really want to encourage people to get vaccinated and not refuse it," said White.

Grade 9 students are usually offered a vaccine to protect from tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough), and White said that since this vaccine was introduced four years ago, there have been very few cases to report.

Chiropractor Rod Tordoff, however, thinks that people should do a lot of research before being immunized or having their children immunized, because vaccinations can be more dangerous than often thought.

He explained that the theory behind some vaccinations is to give an injection of the weakened form of the virus, which can cause anything from allergic reactions to death.

"Chiropractors in general believe people have a perfectly good immune system," he said. "You just have to give it the proper care."

Tordoff said although his children have been immunized for certain diseases, he admits he is very picky when it comes to what they are injected with.

"Every vaccination you get can cause the exact same reaction as if you got the disease," he said. "The way the body works is you get life-long immunity."

Meanwhile, Karen Deviller, director of community health, said although the influenza vaccine issued each year is targeted to people over 65, anybody with a chronic health condition and health care or emergency care providers, they encourage everyone to be protected. By creating awareness through advertising campaigns, Deviller said people are taking this seriously.

"We have gone from immunizing about 800 people in 1997 to almost 3,000 last year," she said.

Immunizations are given all year round at the public health unit, and flu clinics will take place throughout October and November.