Victoria – The BC Minister of Health, Adrian Dix, has provided the latest update on the measles immunization catch-up program.
The Measles Immunization Catch-Up Program’s June 2019 report can be accessed online:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics
Launched in April 2019, the catch-up program’s goal is to immunize children, from kindergarten to Grade 12, who have not previously been immunized against measles and those who may not have received both recommended doses.
During the period April 1 to May 30, 2019, 15,796 doses of measles-containing vaccines have been administered by health authorities to kindergarten to Grade 12 students. This is a preliminary total and will rise when all records are received by public health officials. Community pharmacists and primary care providers are also key partners in the catch-up program. In May, based on records received so far, pharmacists administered 498 of the total doses of measles vaccines for school-aged children aged five to 19 years.
Health authorities have held 858 in-school clinics, as well as 2,388 public health clinics in communities throughout B.C.
In April, over 4200 kids K-12 got their shot. In May that number was over 11,000.
