By Ian Holmes

Local vaccination rates rise after Vancouver measles outbreak

Feb 21, 2019 | 4:17 PM

NANAIMO — Measles outbreaks in Vancouver and Washington State have more people locally taking steps to guard themselves against the highly contagious disease.

Mid-island medical health officer Dr. Paul Hasselback said measles vaccination rates “have made a notable jump” after nine Lower Mainland children recently contracted the disease.

He said while health officials are vigilant for signs of the disease on Vancouver Island, he stressed the Nanaimo area is well protected. He said vaccination rates on Vancouver Island for the measles are well over 90 per cent.

“There’s a small percentage out there that has some misinformation and perhaps aren’t making what would be the best choices for their children and here’s a good opportunity to try to clarify some of that,” Dr. Hasselback said.

When asked if he supported mandatory vaccinations, Hasselback noted B.C.’s rates are comparable to jurisdictions in the U.S. where rolling up your sleeve is mandatory.

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“I think the question becomes does a mandatory program actually increase that? Because it would only effect a very, very small percentage of the population.”

On Wednesday, B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix said the province is considering a vaccination registry to better track who is immunized.

Dr. Hasselback said local public health units are the best place for young children to get immunized against the disease, while pharmacies are the preferred option for everybody else.

Measles can spread through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include cough, fever, runny nose and a painful red rash.

The measles death rate is extremely low in developed parts of the world.

Nine measles cases were confirmed in recent weeks in Vancouver, caused by an unvaccinated child who contracted the disease on a family trip to Vietnam.

More than 50 cases sprung up lately in southern Washington State.

A measles outbreak in 2014 led to more than 340 cases in the Fraser Valley, including one in Nanaimo.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes

— with files from The Canadian Press and Associated Press