National Immunization Awareness Week began Monday and carries through to next Wednesday.

This year’s theme is:  Don’t let history repeat itself. Protect your future. Get immunized.

Bruce Krentz, Health Promotion Co-ordinator with the Northern Health Region has more.

“Decades ago, there was no way to protect yourself from a whole bunch of devastating diseases like polio, meningitis, diphtheria and the wildly contagious, viral infection measles!”

Before vaccinations were developed for many of these illnesses, the outcomes were tragic and included lifelong paralysis, still births, encephalitis and even death.

Over time more and more diseases became preventable through vaccines and health outcomes have improved greatly.

To learn more about immunizations and their benefits go to immunize.ca.