Interior Health is notifying parents that the province is starting a measle catch-up program for children.
This program will run from April through June 2019 for children in kindergarten to grade 12 who are not up-to-date for measles vaccinations. This will help to protect children against measles disease, IH released in a statement to parents.
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Children should get two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. This will offer children the best protection against measles, the statement said.
If your child has a record of two doses of the MMR vaccine, they are up-to-date for measles protection. You will only get a consent package if your child is not up-to-date.
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Kindergarten students:
• Kindergarten students will continue to be immunized at health centres. You can find your local health centre at https://immunizebc.ca/finder.
• If your child has not received two doses of measles-containing vaccine, you will receive an automated telephone reminder to call your health centre to book an appointment.
Students in Grades 1-12:
• One dose of MMR vaccine will be offered through school-based clinics to students who require a first or second dose of MMR vaccine.
• You will receive a consent package via the school in the coming weeks if your child requires a first or second dose of MMR vaccine.
If you receive a consent package but feel that your child has had two doses of a measles-containing vaccine, please give a copy of their immunization record to your local health centre. Visit https://immunizebc.ca/tips-locating-immunization-records for tips to locate immunization records.
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