Immunization rates among children are declining across Interior Health.
According to data from Dec. 31, 2023, only 56.3 per cent of seven-year-olds were fully immunized, well below the 70 per cent target necessary to prevent the spread of disease. Meanwhile, the rate of immunization among two-year-olds is down to 68.5 per cent, a drastic decrease from the 90 per cent target. Thompson-Cariboo-Shuswap rates, which include 100 Mile House, are at 58.6 per cent for seven-year-olds and 68.7 per cent for two-year-olds.
This data has galvanized Interior Health to remind parents of the importance of keeping their children’s vaccinations up to date to avoid high rates of unimmunized or under-immunized children.
“Interior Health is taking steps to help busy families get their children’s immunizations up to date,” IH Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Martin Lavoie said in a press release issued Thursday, Feb. 15. “Vaccines give infants and children the best protection from more than a dozen diseases that can be severe, can lead to serious complications, and in some cases can even be fatal.”
Immunization is important to prevent the spread of potentially deadly diseases. Decreases in immunization rates have led to a measles outbreak in England this year.
In Interior Health itself over the last six months, several cases of whooping cough have been reported. While deaths from this disease are rare, they most commonly occur in infants too young to be immunized.
This decrease in immunizations is attributed to a mixture of questions and concerns sparked by online vaccine misinformation, parents having limited time in their day-to-day schedules or simply forgetting to make an appointment. Interior Health noted that most parents believe vaccines are both safe and effective.
To increase the immunization rate, Interior Health plans to create extra immunization clinics at local community health centres. They also are bringing mobile immunization services to select rural communities, though they did not name which communities specifically.
Interior Health also encourages both students in Grades 10 -12 and the general public to ask questions of local public health nurses about vaccines if they have any questions.
“Many people have questions – that is understandable. As health professionals we are here to help everyone understand potential side effects, vaccine effectiveness, and the consequences of not being vaccinated, and help families make informed decisions,” IH Medical Health Officer Dr. Fatemeh Sabet said.
A new awareness campaign called Their Best Shot has been released using testimonials from local healthcare professionals and parents. It aims to emphasize the safety and effectiveness of childhood immunization and the dangers of vaccine-preventable diseases. One of the people featured in the campaign is Kelowna public health nurse and mother Ashley Stone.
“I want parents to know where to find accurate information to make an informed decision and know that they can contact public health at any time with their questions or concerns. We’re here to help,” Stone said.
Childhood immunizations are free of charge. Caregivers can book an appointment in 100 Mile House at the South Cariboo Health Centre by calling 250-395-7676. Schedules for childhood and teen immunizations can be found at immunizebc.ca.
Interior Health encourages those with questions about vaccinations to visit their campaign interiorhealth.ca/theirbestshot.