Vaccination: there's an app for that
New service keeps track of immunization records; sends reminders when time for the next shot
Meagan Leonard
Northern News Services
Friday, May 1, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A new app developed by Immunize Canada will help the territory's transient population keep track of vaccination records more easily after a move between provinces.
As part of national immunization awareness week this week, the Department of Health and Social Services held a press conference Wednesday morning to announce the launch of the app called ImmunizeCA. Deputy chief public health officer Dr. Kami Kandola said the idea is to have vaccination records easily accessible in emergency situations and provide a more streamlined nation-wide database.
"Keeping track of your vaccines and remembering to get them on time is very important," she said. "Anytime you move or travel you will have a current record of your family's immunizations."
Some of the app's features include custom schedules to track upcoming immunization dates, alerts warning of disease outbreaks in the area, recommendations for travel and a digital copy of paper immunization records. Personal information must be added manually into the app and it does not sync automatically with medical records.
Although the program has received a positive response so far, it is unlikely permanent residents in communities outside Yellowknife will make use of the app where availability of technology and Internet is limited, said Kandola. The app is also only available in English and French.
"Areas that have access to wireless Internet can download the app, but some small communities cannot so we would have to rely on the regular public health system," she said.
"I think the app will be more relevant if people are moving from the NWT."
The app comes on the heels of last year's measles outbreak in Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba. Kandola says the campaign is focused on renewing public faith in vaccinations - reminding people they were developed for a reason.
Kandola said all it takes is one person to bring one of the diseases back from a foreign country to start an epidemic. She says during the time she spent working in Africa, she witnessed the devastating effects of diseases some people think are obsolete.
"These diseases still exist in the developing countries (but) not seeing them ... they don't make the connection that if they don't get the vaccine, they're still vulnerable," she explained.
"Not seeing that level of disease and being in Canada, you might not understand why you need you need a vaccine."
While rates of childhood immunization in the territory against diseases such as measles and chicken pox are some of the highest in the country, Kandola says they are still struggling to ensure youth and adults get their required shots.
"The HPV vaccine rates can be improved and ... (other) vaccines adults would need, like a tetanus booster and flu vaccine," she said.
Ultimately, Kandola says it never hurts to be prepared - just in case.
"It's like choosing not to have insurance on your house or car," Kandola said.
"In Canada it'd be pretty rare that your house would burn down from a fire or you would have a car accident but in the case you don't have insurance it's a devastating loss ... that could have been prevented."
The ImmunizeCA app is available for Apple and Android devices. National Immunization Awareness week runs April 25 to May 2.
