Interior Health extending measles vaccine catch-up program | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Interior Health extending measles vaccine catch-up program

Interior Health is offering the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine for children across the region.
Image Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Eric Risberg

Even though there are no active reports of measles in the Okanagan or the surrounding area, Interior Health is still encouraging parents to make sure their children are caught up with immunizations.

The B.C. government launched a Measles Immunization Catch-up program in response to global outbreaks of the illness. Interior Health is participating in this program, offering immunization for children across the region.

Interior Health will offer doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine at clinics in over 400 schools for students in grades one through to 12, according to an Interior Health Authority media release. These school clinics will run from May until June.

Community public health centres will also offer the vaccine. Appointments and drop-ins are welcome. Local pharmacies will have the vaccine as well.

Haley Allen, communications consultant with Interior Health, confirmed there are no active confirmed cases in the region, but she said the catch-up program allows parents to ensure their children are fully immunized.

There have been 27 cases of measles reported in B.C. so far. The latest case involves a Metro Vancouver resident who returned to Vancouver International Airport on April 13 aboard a Japan Airlines flight from Tokyo. There have been 18 cases confirmed in the Vancouver area since February. Cases have also been recorded on Vancouver Island, in the Fraser Valley and in 100 Mile House in the south Cariboo region.

To find a public health centre near you go here.

For information on the vaccine go the HealthLinkBC web page here.


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