B.C. reminds parents to vaccinate children ahead of back-to-school

With students set to return to classrooms in just a couple weeks, back-to-school preparations are well underway for many B.C. families.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says in addition to supplies and outfits, parents are being asked to include another important item on their to-do lists.

“Ensure that your children are up to date on their routine vaccinations and they get vaccinated against common illnesses, such as measles, mumps and rubella, polio, pertussis (whooping cough) and chickenpox,” she said in a statement Monday.

“August is the perfect time to take your children for any outstanding vaccines. As kids start or return to child care or school, they’ll be interacting with many friends, caregivers and teachers, increasing their chances of being exposed to these and other infectious diseases. And we know respiratory-illness season will soon be here, bringing COVID-19, influenza and other viruses.”

Henry says vaccination is the “best way” to protect kids from vaccine-preventable sicknesses, particularly those that can cause serious illness or even death.

In B.C., kids six years and younger can get vaccinated for free against a number of diseases, including COVID-19, influenza, polio, measles, and chickenpox. Henry says vaccine clinics are also provided for free at schools for those in Grade 6 and up.

“School-aged children and teens typically receive their vaccines at clinics held at schools. However, they can also get vaccinated at health units, some doctors’ and nurse practitioners’ offices and some pharmacies,” Henry explained. “As many young adults begin mixing in new social groups this fall, pursue post-secondary opportunities or move into campus housing, vaccines against influenza and meningitis are recommended, along with an updated dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.”

ImmunizeBC notes many vaccine-preventable diseases are rare in Canada because of immunization. Despite this, it notes the bacteria and viruses behind them are still around.

“If immunization rates drop, these diseases can come back; this has happened in other countries, resulting in many hospitalizations and deaths,” the province’s website reads.

you can check your child’s immunization records on the Health Gateway.