National Aboriginal Health Organization launches Get Immunized Information Website and Health Messaging videos

Ottawa, ON - The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) launched a new
website and health messaging videos to help First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals,
families and communities in Canada make decisions about getting immunization vaccines
at the 9th Canadian Immunization Conference in Quebec City yesterday.

The Get Immunized Information website is a national, bilingual Web-based
clearinghouse of information on immunization and First Nations, Inuit and Métis. It hosts
a collection of culturally-relevant, timely and credible information resources on the
benefits and risks of immunization.

The four part health messaging video series explores First Nations, Inuit and Métis
individual, family and community perspectives on Immunization. They are narrated by
Adam Beach and include interviews with National Aboriginal Role Models who have
chosen careers in Health.

The video topics are:
· A First Nations Perspective on Immunization
· An Inuit Perspective on Immunization
· A Métis Perspective on Immunization
· Perspectives from First Nations, Inuit and Métis on Health Care (also available
with French sub-titles)

“NAHO is committed to improving the health of First Nations, Inuit and Métis
individuals, families and communities through knowledge-based strategies,” said Dr.
Paulette C. Tremblay, CEO of NAHO. “The Get Immunized Information Website and
health messaging videos will help empower individuals and families to make positive,
healthy decisions by gaining a better understanding of immunization.”

The Get Immunized Information Website and health messaging videos are a collaborative
initiative between NAHO and the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) of
Health Canada. It is strengthened by the efforts of non-profit immunization organizations,
health professionals and members of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.

According to FNIHB, on-reserve First Nations have immunization rates about 20 per cent
lower than the general Canadian population, and suffer from higher rates of vaccinepreventable
diseases. Furthermore, some of these diseases result in more hospitalization
for First Nations people than in the general population.

NAHO’s goal with the Get Immunized Information Website and health messaging videos
is to increase awareness of the benefits and risks of immunization for all ages. It will
achieve this with the support of physicians, nurses, community health representatives,
and parents in First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.

The National Aboriginal Health Organization is an Aboriginal-designed and -controlled
body that works to influence and advance the health and well-being of Aboriginal
Peoples through knowledge-based strategies.

For more information or to view the Public Service Announcements, visit:
http://www.getimmunized.ca/information

To view the health messaging videos visit: www.getimmunized.ca/resources
For French sub-titles visit: www.getimmunized.ca/fr

For media inquiries, contact:
Colleen Patterson,
Communications Officer
Toll-free: 1-877-602-4445 ext. 559
(613) 237-9462 ext. 559
Direct: (613) 863-9001
E-mail: cpatterson@naho.ca

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