As a new school year approaches, and in recognition of National Immunization Awareness Month in August, Island Health encourages parents to ensure that vaccinations are on their children’s back-to-school list.
Indeed, “Let’s catch up with confidence!” is the theme of this year’s awareness month.
“Vaccination has been very successful in making what used to be very common diseases – like measles, whooping cough and bacterial meningitis – very rare,” says Dr. Michael Benusic, medical health officer. “But these diseases still exist, and staying up to date on childhood vaccination is the best prevention.”
Island Health provides vaccinations for infants and children at all of our health units, and in-school for Grade 6 and 9 students.
- Visit our Health Unit Locations webpage to find a health unit near you.
- Unsure if your child is up to date with vaccinations? Contact your local health unit or Health Gateway.
- Visit ImmunizeBC to learn more about B.C.’s routine vaccine schedule for infants and children, along with guidance for school-age children/teens and adults.