Anxious parents worried about the potential spread of the measles virus are asking for accelerated vaccination schedules for their children to protect them against the disease.
A Fraser Health spokesman said parents aren't being discouraged from doing so but are being informed that the first dose their child received at 12 months gives them 95% protection over a lifetime. Still, parents with toddlers are asking for the second dose top-up that gives 98% protection instead of waiting until their child is between four to six years of age, when the second dose is recommended.
Tasleem Juma said she understands their concern.
"Yes, you can stay with the schedule," she said. "Some prefer to accelerate and get it done, and that's not a problem either."
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However Fraser Health's main concern is reaching out to parents whose children may not be vaccinated against measles at all if they didn't get their child's shots at 12 months of age, when the first dose of measles,mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is dispensed.
Juma is sympathetic towards parents who may have forgotten this visit, however, it's important these families take note of the current awareness campaign and to get to a public health clinic for the shot. If they go to the family doctor outside of the region for the MMR vaccine they should bring the record or have it sent to the local public clinic anyway so it's on file and part of Fraser Health's data.
"It's really about reminding parents," she said. "Often they just forget and it's not intentional and our intention is just to be able to support them getting it done."
To help parents keep track of their children's immunization schedule technological aids, such as a texting program and an app have been created to remind parents to finish their child's immunization schedule.
Much of the concern about measles in recent weeks has been the result of an outbreak of measles in Disneyland, which has spread to other areas in the U.S. Cases have also been reported in Canada. Although the number of reported cases south of the border is only about 140 since tracking began Jan. 1, authorities in the U.S. and in Canada have been advocating vaccination as a way to combat the disease that was virtually eliminated in North America, except for occasional outbreaks caused by unvaccinated visitors from overseas.
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The disease is easily transmitted and can be deadly but most Canadian babies are given a single vaccination to prevent mumps, measles and rubella at 12 months, a second booster dose between the ages of four to six.
Here in the Tri-Cities, immunization rates are among the highest in the region- 72% in Coquitlam and 71% in Port Moody and Port Coquitlam - but the numbers indicate that as many as 30% of babies aren't being brought in for their measles shot at 12 months and therefore are not immunized against the disease and others, such as meningitis and chickenpox.
Families are also being reminded that vaccines are safer than getting measles, mumps or rubella and when their child is immunized, they protect others as well.
For more information on the MMR vaccine, visit www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile14a.stm
To learn more about immunization and to sign up for text reminders or download the ImmunizeCA App visit www.fraserhealth.ca/your_health/immunizations.
