B.C. Government announces initiative to catch up children with measles vaccines

BRITISH COLUMBIA— The Measles Immunization Catch-Up Program is an initiative to catch-up all school-age children (kindergarten to Grade 12) with measles vaccines from April to June. It’s an opportunity for unimmunized and under-immunized children to catch-up on their measles vaccinations.

There is currently no measles outbreak within the Northern Health region, but Northern Health, the provincial government and school districts are aiming to increase immunity amongst B.C.’s children.  

Most people in Canada are protected against measles through immunizations. Two doses of either measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) or measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccine (MMRV) is 99% effective at preventing the disease. Children typically receive one dose of MMR at 12-months-old followed by one dose of MMRV starting at four-years-old.

Northern Health will be distributing immunization consent packages directly to students in kindergarten through Grade 12 who are not up to date with their vaccinations. The consent package will include a letter which provides instructions on how to complete the immunization consent form. More information to outline school-specific plans and/or clinics where you can have your child/children immunized in your community will be released at a future date.