National Immunization Awareness Week 2025

Not long ago, diseases like polio, tetanus, diphtheria, and measles were part of everyday life. These infections often led to tragic outcomes. The widespread use of vaccines changed that. They remain one of our most effective tools for preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death.

National Immunization Awareness Week (NIAW) is recognized annually across Canada and coincides with the World Health Organization’s World Immunization Week. This global effort underscores the importance of equitable access to life-saving vaccines. This year’s NIAW theme, Don’t let history repeat itself. Protect your future. Get immunized., is a reminder that the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases is not over. In recent years, immunization rates have been affected by a range of factors, including delays during the COVID-19 pandemic, limited access to care, and the spread of vaccine misinformation.

Spotlight: Measles in Ontario
Ontario is experiencing a significant rise in measles cases, reflecting increased global activity. Measles is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can spread easily through coughing, sneezing. It can also be transmitted by touching your eyes, nose, or mouth after touching an infected surface. Symptoms of measles include fever, a red blotchy rash, red watery eyes, and cough.

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and your community. For most individuals born after 1970, that means having two doses of a measles-containing vaccine (such as the MMR vaccine). This is especially important before travelling outside of Canada.

Call out box: If you are experiencing symptoms of measles, stay at home, and call your health care provider or local public health unit right away. Before seeking medical attention, be sure to contact your health care provider or the healthcare facility prior to your arrival so that the appropriate precautions can be taken to prevent the spread of measles. 

Monitoring disease activity and keeping the public informed about potential exposures is essential to containing the spread of measles and other infectious diseases. Explore Public Health Ontario’s (PHO) Enhanced Epidemiological Summary: Measles in Ontario, for the most recent information, including case information provided by age, sex, public health unit, severity, source of infection, immunization status and deaths. You can also visit our new Measles Exposures in Ontario page for current information on places and dates of exposure to a case of measles and public health guidance.

PHO’s Role in Immunization in Ontario
PHO provides scientific and technical expertise to support immunization programs across the province. We conduct surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases, monitor vaccine safety and coverage, and support the public health system with evidence-informed resources. PHO recently launched an Immunization Data Tool, an interactive resource that allows you to explore different aspects of immunization coverage and vaccine safety, including trends over time, comparisons across public health units (including maps) and age groups.

PHO also hosts and provides scientific support for the Ontario Immunization Advisory Committee, a multidisciplinary scientific advisory body, providing expert advice on vaccine programs and policy in Ontario. The focus of the Committee’s work is on publicly-funded vaccines and immunization programs in Ontario, and those under consideration for new programming.

Resources:

• Immunization Coverage | Public Health Ontario
• Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs)
• Immunization (Vaccines)