News Release: Government of Canada launches innovative mobile vaccine application
Immunization is one of the most important advances in public health. It is estimated to have saved more lives in Canada over the past 50 years than any other public health intervention. Before vaccines became available, many Canadian children died from diseases such as diphtheria, measles and polio, that are now preventable by immunization.
Keeping track of your immunizations is now easier, thanks to ImmunizeCA, a free mobile app available throughout Canada. With funding of almost $450,000 from the Public Health Agency of Canada (the Agency), the app was developed by the Canadian Public Health Association, Immunize Canada and the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. The funding is being allocated over three years to develop, promote, update and maintain the app, taking user feedback into account.
ImmunizeCA will help Canadians manage their family’s vaccinations and easily access their provincial and territorial vaccination schedules, as well as find timely and accurate information on the benefits of vaccination. The mobile app also provides local outbreak alert notifications, vaccination resources, schedules and tools regarding children, adults and travellers.
The app makes getting immunized easier by:
- providing customized schedules based on date of birth, gender and place of residence;
- reminding Canadians of their appointments;
- providing Canadians with their vaccination status, including any that are overdue, flu vaccine status and the date of their last tetanus shot ; and,
- providing a credible source of expert-reviewed information on vaccinations.
The Government of Canada is committed to protecting the health and safety of Canadians. In Canada, the responsibility for immunization is shared by the federal, provincial and territorial governments.
The Agency is the principal federal government agency responsible for immunization. Its mandate is to provide leadership, advice and support for timely vaccine recommendations and sustainable immunization programs.
Over the last decade, through significant financial and expert support, the Government of Canada has helped protect children and adolescents from vaccine preventable diseases.
