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By Dylana Kneeshaw

VACCINATION CATCH-UP

Interior Health hosting series of drop-in clinics for routine immunizations

Feb 14, 2025 | 5:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — At this time last year, health officials in B.C. voiced concerns around a downturn in routine vaccinations for children, and this month Interior Health says the decline is still noticeable.

According to 2023 data from the BC Centre for Disease Control, 62 per cent of seven-year-olds in the Thompson Cariboo Shuswap health area were up to date with their immunizations.

Interior Health Medical Health Officer Dr. Andy Delli Pizzi says while final numbers for 2024 aren’t available yet, the data collected between 2019 and 2023 represents a concerning, 10 per cent drop in a span of four years.

“We know how important these childhood vaccines are,” he said. “They protect from more than a dozen infections. Some of which, many of which don’t have specific treatments. One example is measles. And measles we’re seeing globally in 2022, 2023, and 2024 there has been a resurgence.”

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In response to the reduction in children receiving routine immunizations, Interior Health is hosting a series of drop-in clinics around the city throughout February and March.

“Trying to make the vaccines available for people. So importantly, people who know that they or their family members are due for a vaccine or people who have questions about vaccine preventable diseases or the vaccines, it’s a great opportunity for them to attend,” Delli Pizzi said.

Immunization clinics:

Mondays and Fridays at Public Health office, from 8:45 to 11:15 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.

519 Columbia St.

Single clinics:

• Mar. 5: Interior Community Services from 11 a.m. to 1245 p.m.
  • (Tranquille location) Administration Office: 765 Tranquille Rd.
• Feb. 18: Hopewell Clinic 10:30 a.m.to 12 p.m.
  • 429 Tranquille Rd.
• Feb. 20: Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • 125 Palm St.
• Mar. 18: Family Tree (Kamloops Family Resource Centre) 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • 657 Seymour St.