Ensure your patients are up to date on their immunizations

Routine immunizations have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic:

• The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted immunization services and vaccination coverage rates have declined in B.C.
• Currently, only 71% of 2 year olds and 65% of 7 year olds within Fraser Health are up to date on their immunizations.

The risk of infection from vaccine preventable diseases has increased:

• With the relaxing of public health measures and travel restrictions lifting, unvaccinated and undervaccinated people will be at higher risk for infections.
• Global measles vaccination programs have been disrupted.¹ The majority of measles cases within B.C. are related to out of country travel.²
• Influenza vaccines are still available. It is important for everyone to get their annual influenza vaccine this season.

What you can do:

• Continue to provide immunizations. Refer to BCCDC’s guidance on eligibility, dosing and scheduling for all publicly funded vaccines: Part 4 of the B.C. Immunization Manual
• Physicians can order more influenza vaccine by placing a request using our online form.
• Ensure your patients are up to date on their immunizations: Vaccine schedules | Immunize BC
• Fax patient immunization records to your local public health unit: Public Health Unit
• Connect your patients with an immunization clinic: Getting immunized - Fraser Health Authority
• Encourage your patients to learn more about immunizations: Immunizations - Fraser Health Authority

If you are interested in offering childhood or influenza immunizations in your practice, contact your local Public Health Unit for resources and support.

Thank you for your efforts to protect the health of our community, prevent infections, and support our health care system.

¹For more information: Impact of COVID-19 response on childhood immunization: What can we do to catch up? | British Columbia Medical Journal (bcmj.org)
²BCCDC: Communicable Disease Control Chapter 1 – Management of Specific Diseases: Measles.