Ontario newborns will soon be able to receive a new, drinkable vaccine to protect them from diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration.
Nearly 140,000 infants will benefit from the oral rotavirus
vaccine, the Liberal government says. They are set to announce a number
of changes to its publicly funded immunization program this morning.
Ontario is the first jurisdiction in Canada to cover the oral rotavirus vaccine, according to Health Minister Deb Matthews.
Beginning this August, the government will offer two new vaccines —
one for rotavirus and the other a combined chicken pox and
measles-mumps-rubella vaccine known as MMRV.
The government says the vaccine change will save families up to $350 per person.
Also this August, Ontario will cover a second childhood dose of the
varicella (chicken pox) vaccine to enhance protection and they’ll pay
for a lifetime dose of the pertussis, or whooping cough vaccine.
“Immunization is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself
and your family,” said Dr. Arlene King, Ontario’s chief medical officer
of health in a release.
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