Don’t wait – vaccinate!
With September right around the corner, Public Health is ramping up immunizations for kids entering kindergarten this fall. As a result, we’re encouraging all VCH staff to remind their patients/clients who have young children to have them immunized before they enter kindergarten in September. Immunizations are free and can be administered at Public Health clinics or family doctors.
Where can parents have their children immunized?
For a map with clinic locations, dates, and times visit the VCH website.
Why is it important for kids to be immunized before the start of kindergarten?
“The benefit is obtaining adequate protection against vaccine preventable diseases well ahead of any possible exposure at school,” said Florencia Olivo, public health nurse at South Community Health Centre. “In addition, going to a pediatrician, family doctor, or health unit allows health care professionals to perform assessments on children. If any concerns are identified, referrals can be made for further assessment.”
What does immunization protect children from?
Starting at age four all children should get two shots, in total, to protect against:
- measles
- mumps
- rubella
- chicken pox (varicella)
- polio
- tetanus
- diphtheria
- whooping cough (pertussis)
As we are seeing with mumps right now in Vancouver and Whistler, and with the recent measles and whooping cough outbreaks, these diseases are highly infectious and can spread quickly among those who aren’t vaccinated.
Protecting children at school
Parents are asked to submit their children’s immunization record before their child begins attending school. If someone at school contracts a vaccine-preventable infectious disease, children who are not immunized may have to stay home until it is safe to return. Immunization not only protects their children’s health, but those in the community as well.
More Information
Immunization information and schedules, as well as the annual School Health manual can be found on the VCH kindergarten immunization page.
Immunization rates for kindergarten, grade six and grade nine students, are all found on VCH’s immunization coverage page.