As September approaches, British Columbia’s top health officials have launched an urgent call for families to verify their children’s immunization status before the new school year begins. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry emphasized this week that vaccination reviews should become as routine as shopping for school supplies, highlighting a concerning downward trend in childhood immunization rates.
“We’ve seen vaccination rates slip below optimal levels, particularly during the pandemic when many routine appointments were postponed,” Dr. Henry stated during a press conference in Victoria. “This creates dangerous immunity gaps that could leave children vulnerable to preventable diseases.”
The BC Centre for Disease Control reports that provincial immunization coverage has dropped approximately 5% since 2019, with some regions showing even steeper declines. This decrease comes at a particularly concerning time, as several vaccine-preventable illnesses including measles and pertussis (whooping cough) have seen small but notable outbreaks in neighboring regions.
Parents can access their children’s immunization records through the provincial Health Gateway portal, which provides a comprehensive overview of received vaccines and highlights any missing doses. For families new to BC or those without digital access, local health units can provide printed records and vaccination guidance.
The standard kindergarten entry immunization package includes protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox. Grade 6 students are offered vaccines for hepatitis B, meningococcal disease, and human papillomavirus (HPV), while Grade 9 students receive tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis boosters.
“Immunization isn’t just about individual protection,” explained Dr. Monika Naus, medical director of immunization programs at the BC CDC. “When vaccination rates drop below 95% for highly contagious diseases like measles, we lose the community protection that shields vulnerable populations who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.”
The push comes as health authorities work to balance competing public health priorities, including ongoing COVID-19 considerations. Many parents express confusion about which vaccines are mandatory versus recommended, especially with COVID-19 vaccines remaining optional for school attendance.
Education Minister Rachna Singh has partnered with health officials on this initiative, stating: “Healthy students learn better. We want to ensure every child has the protection they need to thrive in the classroom environment.”
For families facing barriers to vaccination, including transportation challenges or work conflicts, health authorities have expanded evening and weekend immunization clinic hours throughout August and early September. Mobile clinics will also visit select rural and remote communities.
Financial concerns should not impede access, as all routine childhood vaccines are provided free of charge under BC’s public health program. Newcomers to Canada can also access catch-up immunization schedules regardless of immigration status.
As global health trends show increasing vaccine hesitancy, BC health officials are working with community leaders and cultural liaisons to address concerns within specific populations. Multilingual resources have been developed to ensure accurate information reaches all communities.
“We recognize parents have questions, and we want to provide evidence-based answers,” Dr. Henry noted. “Our public health nurses are prepared to discuss concerns without judgment and help families make informed decisions.”
As the province navigates this critical back-to-school period, the question remains: Will BC families prioritize immunization updates alongside new backpacks and school supplies, or will vaccination rates continue their troubling decline?
