| Update (February 14, 2018): Interior Health declares an end to the meningococcal disease outbreak Today Interior declared the Meningococcal Outbreak over: February 14, 2018 update: Interior Health has declared an end to the meningococcal disease outbreak in the Okanagan for 15-19 year olds. Since the outbreak is now declared over, people in grades 11 and older will no longer qualify for free vaccine. All grade 9 students in BC are offered free Meningococcal Quadrivalent vaccine as part of a routine school immunizations that began in 2016. Current immunization stats-As of February 13, 2018: 14,503 individuals were immunized, which is 68.3% of target population (15-19 years old) immunized. |
Interior Health (IH) is currently taking steps in response to an increase of meningococcal disease in the Okanagan that has been impacting youth 15-19 years of age. Youth can be protected against this type of meningococcal disease by receiving the meningococcal quadrivalent vaccine.
Starting Dec. 14, 2017, and in the weeks ahead, IH will offer free immunization clinics in schools and public health centres throughout the Okanagan, focusing on students in grades 9 to 12 as well as individuals aged 15 to 19 years who are not currently in school.
This is a precautionary measure, as we know vaccination is one of the best forms of protection. The FNHA recommends all First Nations youth aged 15-19 in the Okanagan region receive their vaccine at their secondary school. If you are not in school, you can find out about a clinic near you here.
Over the past six months, IH has experienced an increased number of cases of meningococcal disease in the 15-19-year-old age group in the Okanagan region and has declared an outbreak.
Since 2016, a Meningococcal Quadrivalent vaccine has been part of routine immunization schedules for Grade 9 students in BC.
If you received this vaccine as part of a grade 9 immunization program in 2016/2017, you do not need to be re-immunized.
If you are a resident of the Okanagan, you can hear a pre-recorded message about the meningococcal disease outbreak in the Okanagan, please call 1-855-802-9944.
Parents and individuals with questions about their immunization records can call their local Interior Health public health unit.
Find your Okanagan Public Health Unit here.
What is meningococcal infection?
Meningococcal infection due to types A, C, Y and W-135 have been very rare in BC until recently. From 2009 to 2016 there were less than 10 cases per year, until recent meningococcal W135 disease outbreak declared on December 13 2017 that is limited to the Okanagan region at this time.
Read more Information on Meningococcal Infection from the FNHA Here
Read an IH Okanagan meningococcal disease immunization program Questions and Answers.
