Summer vacation is almost over, and that means children will soon be back at school. As kids return to childcare spaces or classrooms, they will be interacting with many more people than they do at home, increasing their chances of being exposed to infectious diseases.
Vaccines are a safe and effective way to prevent serious illness and minimize the risk of children becoming sick and missing school, cultural and sporting events and other important activities.
Take steps to ensure that your children are up to date on routine vaccinations, such as measles, mumps and rubella, polio, pertussis (whooping cough) and chickenpox. These vaccines are recommended for all children and are provided free of charge. Speak to your primary care provider/community health nurse about what vaccines are recommended for your children.
If you are living away from home and want to get your children vaccinated, call your primary care provider or local public health clinic or pharmacist (for ages 4 and up) to book a routine vaccination appointment.
If you're not sure what vaccinations your child needs, you can check your children's immunization records through BC's Health Gateway: https://www.healthgateway.gov.bc.ca/
View your children's immunization schedule at healthlinkbc.ca/childhoodvaccines
Additional information
Just the facts on vaccines: A message from Dr. Celeste Loewe, Medical Officer, Health and Wellness and Gary Housty, Executive Director, Office of the Chief Nursing Officer https://www.fnha.ca/about/news-and-events/news/just-the-facts-on-vaccines-national-immunization-awareness-week-2024
Read this statement from BC's provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, on the reasons why vaccines are important.
Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines for children https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/children
Learn more about the FNHA's Immunization Program, including how the FNHA supports First Nations communities to deliver immunizations: https://www.fnha.ca/what-we-do/communicable-disease-control/immunization-vaccine-preventable-diseases
