Interior Health is reminding parents and families to take steps to protect their children and themselves as kids prepare to go back to school.

“As children return to school, they are spending more time indoors and interacting closely with others, which increases the risk of exposure to measles and other infectious diseases if a case arises,” said Dr. Sanaz Vaseghi.

“Two doses of measles vaccine are almost 100% effective in preventing this serious illness and protection lasts a lifetime.

“Immunizations are the best defence against measles and other infectious diseases – it is important for kids to be immunized when they go back to school as they regularly interact with many other kids.” 

Parents and caregivers should check their child’s immunization records through Health Gateway or through their local public health unit or family doctor.

To update your child’s immunization records, visit the Provincial Immunization Registry.

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) immunizations are given to infants and children according to the recommended child immunization scheduled.

It is important to get your child vaccinated. Getting your child vaccinated, and vaccinated on time, is one of the most important things that you can do to make sure that they are protected from measles.

 Where to get the measles vaccine

Interior Health offers the measles vaccine by appointment and through clinics (appointment-based and drop-in). Pharmacies also carry the measles vaccine and can administer it to those over four years of age. Please call ahead to make sure the vaccine is available before you visit.

Booking Appointments   

• Infants and children: Contact your local Community Health Centre to book an appointment. 
• People four years old and older: Children four years and older and adults may be able to get the vaccine at a pharmacy. Find a pharmacy near youand call ahead to see if the vaccine is available. Recommend linking to the BCPhA MMR vaccine finder: Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) Vaccines | BC Pharmacy Association

General measles information:

• Measles is a highly contagious virus that can spread through air. Need to add risk of severe disease and complications.
• People can pass the virus to others before they show symptoms, and the virus can stay suspended in the air in a room for several hours.
• If you think you or your child may have measles, please notify the health care provider/facility ahead of visiting so they can take precautions to limit the spread to other patients in the waiting room.
• More information about measles is available on the measles page of the Interior Health public website.

Watch a video from deputy chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Sue Pollock: MediaValet

Interior Health photo

Interior Health

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