With students heading back into school this week, there is no time like the present for vaccinations, according to the rural health officer for Sunshine Coast, Sea-to-Sky and Bella Bella/Bella Coola.
Dr. Paul Martiquet recommends school-age children be vaccinated for such diseases as diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps and rubella as well as haemophilus influenzae.
“Vaccination rates in Powell River could be higher,” said Martiquet.
Data released by Vancouver Coastal Health earlier this year stated that only 54 per cent of children entering kindergarten in Powell River had completed vaccinations—the lowest rate in BC.
“What happens is that parents forget that these diseases are life-threatening,” said Martiquet. “Parents who do not observe diseases such as polio in their neighbourhood or community don’t understand that the risk is still present.”
While some parents’ groups argue that vaccinations containing thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative used in small quantities in childhood vaccinations in BC until 2001, could cause autism, according to ImmunizeBC that position is unsupported by scientific evidence.
At a recent annual meeting, Canadian Medical Association recommended that parents disclose their child’s vaccination status. Although that recommendation has not yet been made mandatory, it has been met with approval by Dr. Perry Kendall, BC’s provincial health officer—and Martiquet said he also supports the proposal.
In the event of an outbreak, Martiquet said vaccination disclosures would allow the rural health office to identify vulnerable students. “It would allow us to contact those without vaccinations and let them know either to get immunized, or to get out of school so that they’re not exposed.”
Martiquet said vaccinations are available free of charge at Powell River’s local health unit, located on the third floor of Powell River General Hospital.
