Interior Health has announced upcoming measles immunization clinics in the East Kootenay over the next few weeks.
While no cases of measles have been confirmed in the Interior Health (IH) region, confirmed cases in the South Zone of Alberta have prompted Alberta Health Services (AHS) to alert the public to potential exposures.
"To protect people in our region, Interior Health is holding measles immunization clinics across the region over the next six weeks," said IH medical health officer Dr. Sanaz Vaseghi. "There is no confirmed case of measles in the Interior at this time. However, cases have been confirmed in other parts of B.C. and Canada and we recognize people from the Interior are travelling to other places in the province and country."
According to the BC Centre for Disease Control's (BCCDC) Childhood Immunization Coverage Dashboard, total provincial coverage as of 2023 for measles for children aged seven is currently at 72.4 per cent. The East Kootenay is just ahead of that number at 75.3 per cent coverage, the highest in the Interior Health region, ahead of Thompson Cariboo Shushwap at 67per cent, the Okanagan at 64.7 per cent and Kootenay Boundary at 62.1 per cent.
IH encourages residents of all ages to check their immunization records to determine whether they're protected against the measles, and to get immunized if they are not.
Measles is highly contagious virus that spreads through the air. Symptoms include a fever of 38.3 C or higher, a cough, runny nose and/or red eyes, and a rash that appears three to seven days after the fever. The rash, which appears red and blotchy on lighter skin colours, typically begins behind the ears and on the face and then spreads down the body and onto the arms and legs. On darker skin colours the rash may appear purple, or darker than the skin around it, which can make it harder to detect.
Sometimes people can pass the virus to others before they are symptomatic. The virus can also linger in the air in a room for several hours.
Complications from measles include ear infections, pneumonia, brain inflammation, premature delivery and, in rare instances, death. The people who are at the highest risk are those who are pregnant, children under five and those who have weakened immune systems.
The scheduled immunization clinics for the East Kootenays are as follows:
Golden
•Friday, May 23 from 12:45 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Alexander Park Elementary School, 1000 14 Ave S, Golden, BC
•Friday, June 6 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Kinsmen/Clown Park, 902 10th Street S, Golden, BC
Fernie
•Wednesday, May 28 at Ecole Sophie-Morigeau, 44 Mt Washburn St, Fernie, BC, starting at 10 a.m.
•Monday, June 2 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Noon) at Fernie Secondary School, 102 Fairway Drive, Fernie BC
•Wednesday, June 4 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Ecole Sophie-Morigeau, 44 Mt Washburn St, Fernie, BC
•Wednesday, June 11 from 10:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. (noon) at Ecole Isabella Dicken Elementary, 1301 2 Ave, Fernie, BC
•Thursday, June 12 at Ecole Isabella Dicken Elementary, 1301 2 Ave, Fernie, BC, starting at 9 a.m.
Kimberley
•Wednesday, June 4 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Blarchmont Early Learning Centre Field, 1850 Warren Ave, Kimberley, BC
There are also numerous locations where you can book appointments in advance, including Cranbrook, Creston, Invermere and Sparwood. More information about the clinics, including how to book appointments in advance can be found here: interiorhealth.ca/measles#east-kootenay
"These clinics are intended to raise immunization rates, recognizing two doses of measles vaccine are almost 100 per cent effective in preventing this serious illness and last a lifetime," Vaseghi said. "Immunizations are the best defence against measles and other infectious diseases."
The measles vaccine is provided as the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and is recommended for children starting at their first birthday, with a second dose between the ages of four to six.
Infants, children and adults are able to get free, publicly funded vaccines through their local health care unit or health centre. Residents of First Nations communities can also be immunized by their community health nurse.
Children four and older and adults can be vaccinated at pharmacies. You can find nearby pharmacy here: bcpharmacy.ca/mmr
If you have been in contact with a person with the measles, or have travelled to an area with an outbreak, you should book an appointment for an examination with a health care provider.
Learn more about the measles here: healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/measles
