Photo: The Canadian Press

Vaccinations are being offered across the Okanagan following an outbreak of meningococcal disease.

In response to the outbreak of meningococcal meningitis in the Okanagan, Interior Health is opening immunization clinics across the region on Saturday for those aged 15 to 19.

The vaccines are being offered to those in the the most at-risk age group, who have yet to receive the Meningococcal Quadrivalent vaccine and have or will miss the vaccines offered at their school. 

The vaccine was first offered to Grade 9 students in 2016.

In the North Okanagan, where the most recent case of the disease has put a 17-year-old girl in a medically-induced coma, the vaccine will be offered at the Vernon Health Unit at 1440-14 Avenue on Saturday, from noon to 5 p.m.

Those in Kelowna can get the vaccine at the Community Health and Services Centre at 505 Doyle Avenue from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

In the south, the Penticton Health Centre, at 740 Carmi Avenue, will be offering the vaccine from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Interior Health has seen 11 cases of the disease this year compared to an average of five most years. One teenager with the disease died this year, but IH has not said if the death was a direct result of the disease.