Measles vaccines up across B.C.

VICTORIA, B.C. – Nearly 16,000 children and youth across Canada, received doses of the measles vaccine over a two-month period.

The numbers were based on the province's measles immunization catch-up program.

Launched in April, the catch-up program is aimed at immunizing children, from kindergarten to Grade 12, who have not previously been immunized against measles.

On Vancouver Island, Island Health has administered nearly 9,000 doses of the MMR vaccine since the beginning of the year.

Medical officer Dr. Charmaine Enns noted that since the measles outbreak, vaccinations for the disease have doubled.

Families throughout the Sunshine Coast and across BC have also taken steps to keep their children safe from measles.

From April 1st to May 30th, 15,796 doses of measles-containing vaccines have been administered to students from grade 12.

This is a preliminary total and will be made when public health officials.

The province says that 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 858 in-school clinics, as well as 2,388 public health clinics in communities throughout B.C.

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 have been notified.

And the province notes that efforts to increase measles immunizations are continuing, with the latter being planned for the end of June.