**** NSHA Media Release
Public Health still seeking response to immunization survey for parents of children born in 2011
Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) Public Health is hoping more parents of children born in 2011 will respond to its immunization survey. Launched province-wide in late November, the survey is meant to highlight the challenges and barriers parents and guardians face when immunizing their children.
The project is looking for increased participation from parents in Antigonish, Cumberland, Guysborough, Hants, Inverness, Richmond and Victoria counties.
“We are very pleased to have received over 1,700 responses of our required 3,000 responses,” said Lori McCracken, project lead. “Now we would like to see more parents to go online and complete the survey so we can ensure we understand the unique needs of all communities across Nova Scotia.”
The survey results will provide Public Health with a provincial immunization rate for this age group, a breakdown of immunization rates based on communities, and an enhanced understanding of what factors affect whether children receive immunizations.
“We know there are different factors that can impact someone’s experience with immunizations and the results of the survey will allow us to develop both provincial and community-targeted solutions to break down the identified barriers,” said Dr. Daniela Kempkens, medical officer of health for NSHA’s Eastern Zone.
“Ultimately, we will improve immunization rates in Nova Scotia’s children through these initiatives. Ensuring children are immunized strengthens their ability to fight diseases, and also contributes to high immunizations rates and a healthy population.”
The focus on children born in 2011 is because they’re old enough for both their infant and pre-school immunizations, showing data for two important immunization milestones that are not currently collected.
Funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada through the Immunization Partnership Fund, this survey is the first phase of Nova Scotia’s Enhanced Immunization Access project. The project aims to move childhood immunization rates in Nova Scotia towards the national target of 95 per cent, as set by Canada’s National Immunization Strategy.
The second phase of the project will focus on enhancements to immunization services, using data gathered from the survey to inform the approach and tactics.
The survey is offered online in both English and French or by telephone, with translation services available as needed. All information collected will be confidential and private. More information, including access to the survey, can be found at https://www.engage4health.ca/nova-scotia-enhanced-immunization-project