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The measles epidemics in Vancouver and Washington State did not spread in the interior, but that does not mean that people should not be worried.
"We have no confirmed cases of measles on the inside," said Dr. Sylvina Mema, medical officer of health inside. Nevertheless, she added, the outbreaks in Vancouver and Washington State provide a good opportunity to remind people of the need for vaccination, not only for measles, but also for other communicable diseases covered by the disease. the BC. vaccination schedule.
The message that IH wants to convey, she explained, is that the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against measles is to make sure vaccines are up to date.
"We do not want people here to panic. We want everyone to become familiar with their vaccinations, "Mema said. "The outbreak in Vancouver, to our knowledge, has been under control."
It is not uncommon to investigate measles, she said, especially those who have traveled to areas of the world where the disease is still endemic. But according to the health records of the interior, there has been no case of measles in the IH region for eight years.
In 2010, there was an epidemic with 14 cases and in 2011 there was another with seven cases.
Mema said the vaccination rate of two-year-olds averaged 86% in the Internal Health Region, which she described as good, but not as high as they would like to see him.
"We would like to have 95% and we are working on it," said Mema. "That (86%) could be improved, but that's fine."
Mema said there are a variety of reasons why people do not get vaccinated or protect their children, including not knowing and not having the time.
"And some people will be on the fence; they do not know if the vaccines are effective, "said Mema, adding that Interior Health nurses could answer all their questions at local public health centers.
Then there are people who refuse vaccines, these "anti-vaxxers".
"Vaccines are safe and effective, but sometimes people oppose it and do not get vaccinated," Mema said. "There are a number of people who will not be open to hearing the messages we have."
For those, she said, they do not engage in a discussion.
"This does not cause us to be productive," said Mema, adding that Interior Health ran awareness campaigns to raise awareness about the safety and need for immunization. "Such an early outbreak gives us an extra boost so people can connect to Interior Health and get vaccinated."
Steve Kidd
Senior Reporter, Penticton Western News
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