A huge uptick in the number of immunization in the Tri-Cities over the last two weeks may be the reason for long waits for booking at Fraser Health’s call centre.
Fraser Health numbers for the Tri-Cities show nearly four times more people got measles vaccines between Feb. 24 and March 8 this year compared to last year.
Awareness caused by a measles outbreak at a French school in Vancouver is likely the reason why 315 people sought immunizations at Fraser Health public health units in those two weeks, compared to 82 for the same period last year.
Region-wide numbers were up as well — 2,208 MMR/MMV shots were given in those two weeks compared to 829 the year previous.
Fraser Health says it’s working hard to meet the demand.
“Our public health teams continue to work hard to meet the increased demand in immunizations and have added resources as needed to do so,” stated public affairs consultant Tasleem Juma in an email.
But some parents are wondering why an online booking system isn’t available to book vaccine appointments to make the process more efficient.
“If there was an online booking system, where you could look ahead and see where spots are available and you could book them,” said Chris Cordova, whose baby boy had his first set of shots last week.
The Cordovas’ experienced a long wait time on the phone to make an appointment and a 2.5 week wait for an appointment.
For their son’s next shots, they’ll be booking way ahead of time, Cordova said, and are planning to set aside a block of time in the morning for the call in anticipation of the long wait time.
Still, the couple is relieved their son has had his first set of shots.
“At least now he has some protection. Before he was pretty much on his own,” Cordova said.
Fraser Health is encouraging people to make sure their vaccinations are up to date and to make sure they are reported.
“Public Health units, community doctor’s offices, walk-in clinics, pharmacies and urgent primary care centres can all provide the vaccine,” Tasleem Juma state in a press release.
She also said the central booking line was established to make it easier for people to book a vaccine appointment so they wouldn’t have to call multiple health offices to find an available booking.
Last week the Fraser Health Authority confirmed a 17th case of measles in Metro Vancouver linked to initial exposures in Vancouver.
