Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, 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 May, health authorities continued to increase immunizations for school-aged children throughout the province, and to review and reconcile students’ immunization records, as well as inform families and schools about the catch-up program. Since the launch of the program, 566,106 students from kindergarten to Grade 12 have had their immunization records reviewed. As well, parents and guardians of students who have missing or incomplete records have been notified.

Efforts to raise measles immunizations are continuing, with 230 in-school clinics and more than 900 regularly scheduled public health clinics planned through the end of June.  

The catch-up program is part of the government’s plan to increase immunization rates for all vaccine-preventable diseases, educate people about the importance of immunization and increase the awareness of their immunization status. Details of mandatory reporting of students’ immunization status, which is planned for September 2019, will be released in the near future.

Learn More:

For more information, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincial-health-officer/current-health-topics

To find a public health unit anywhere in the province, visit: https://immunizebc.ca/finder