BC schools to require immunization records of all students beginning this fall

Following a recent outbreak of measles cases around the Lower Mainland, BC’s Health Minister Adrian Dix has announced that schools in the province will require the immunization status of all students, beginning this September.

See also

• Two new measles cases passed through Vancouver airport
• Shoppers at Richmond Toys 'R' Us were potentially exposed to measles
• Metro Vancouver's Gold’s Gyms now require parents to vaccinate kids who use its daycare
• 10 measles cases now confirmed in Metro Vancouver

Dix reportedly made the remarks during question period in the BC Legislature on Tuesday.

Schools will require kids’ immunization status by fall, B.C. health minister says https://t.co/E8N453PLWG

— Adrian Dix (@adriandix) February 26, 2019

The announcement comes on the heels of an announcement by Vancouver Coastal Health this past weekend, that two new cases of measles had been discovered, bringing the total cases in the province to 13.

The health authority announced that in both new incidents, the people acquired their infection while travelling out of the country. Both cases are unrelated to the outbreak involving Vancouver schools.

Those who are un-immunized or incompletely immunized are at highest risk. Two doses of measles vaccine are 99 per cent effective at preventing measles.

In a press conference earlier this week, Dr. Althea Hayden said that a total of 33 kids who weren’t able to provide proof they had been vaccinated against the measles were ordered to stay home from school.

People who are at high risk of severe illness (pregnant women, immune compromised, and those under one year of age) can also get a medicine called immune globulin that reduces the risk of severe illness if given within six days of exposure. Measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine given within three days of exposure can also provide some protection.

Symptoms of measles:

Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, and red and inflamed eyes (often sensitive to light), typically starting seven to 14 days after exposure.

These are followed three to seven days later by a rash, which starts first on the face and neck, and spreads to the chest, arms and legs, and lasts at least three days. You may also notice spots inside your mouth that look like small grains of sand on a red base.

• Check your immunization records to make sure you and your children have had two doses of the measles vaccine (MMR or MMRV). Your immunization record or your doctor can provide you with this information. Adults 18 years of age and older, born in or after 1970 require two doses of measles vaccine; children 12 months to less than 18 years of age, health care workers and adults attending post-secondary institutions are required to have two doses; those born before 1970 are generally considered immune.
• If your immunization record is not up-to-date, contact your local public health unit.
• Infants under one year of age, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems can get very ill with measles and should contact their health care professional immediately for further assessment.
• Watch for symptoms of measles until 21 days after exposure. These include a high fever, cold-like symptoms (cough/runny nose); sore eyes or sensitivity to light; small spots with a white centre on the inside of the mouth; and a red rash lasting four to seven days.