More clinics for outbreak

Photo: Contributed

Interior Health has released its latest vaccination numbers for the meningococcal meningitis outbreak. 

As of Dec. 20, 7,549 individuals have received the shot, 51.9 per cent of the target population, which are people in grades 9-12, or aged 15-19. 

Medical health officer Dr. Karin Goodison said they are planning more immunization clinics for the Okanagan Valley in hopes of beefing those numbers up. 

"We have actually seen the numbers go from below 15 per cent coverage to well over 50 per cent coverage in about a week's time. I actually think this is an amazing job done by our first line nursing staff ... it is actually pretty impressive."

Drop in clinics will continue on Dec. 23, Dec. 26-29, and Jan. 2-5 for those who have not yet been immunized.

Select Shoppers Drug Mart locations in Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton, and Princeton will also have limited supplies of the vaccine. 
 
Secondary school clinics will continue to be offered in January when school is back in session.

"I think our big message at this time of year," Goodison warned, "when everyone is out celebrating at Christmas and sharing the joy, please don't share your drinks and your forks with other people because it is the transmission of saliva that can spread illnesses such as meningococcal disease."

If you have received a meningococcal vaccine in the last three years, or as part of the grade 9 immunization program in 2016/17, you don’t need to be immunized again. 
 
For more information about the meningococcal outbreak in the Okanagan, visit interiorhealth.ca.