Measles shot available at pharmacy

People who want to be vaccinated against disease not limited to public health unit

Okanagan residents looking to get vaccinated against measles in light of the recent outbreak in Vancouver can do so at a local public health unit or a pharmacy.

“We’re wanting to remind the public that they can go to the pharmacy, who will often be far more accessible with longer hours and are often open on weekends,” said Linda Gutenberg, deputy CEO of the BC Pharmacy Association. “Most are doing it on a drop-in basis.”

Last week, Interior Health medical health officer Silvina Mema said people may have to wait a week to get an immunization appointment at a public health unit.

Pharmacies are able to offer vaccines to adults and children five years or older.

Steve Medwedew, a pharmacist and owner of a local Shoppers Drug Mart, said his pharmacy has a few doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine in stock and is able to get more from Interior Health if needed.

“We haven’t seen many requests for the vaccine . . . but we’re able to get the vaccine for anybody who’s requesting it, usually within a 24-hour period,” he said. “Interior Health has some sitting there for pharmacies . . . if we do get some requests.”

Medwedew has not seen a high demand for the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, which he credits to there not being any cases in the Okanagan so far. In B.C., the first MMR shot is given at 12 months of age, and the second dose is given around four to six years.

Medwedew said he recommends parents do not take their children who have not yet been vaccinated to Vancouver or other places where cases of measles have been confirmed.

“There’s no risk in the Okanagan at the moment, or in Interior Health, but definitely keep them away from the actual areas that are having the outbreak,” he said.

People born before Jan. 1, 1970, are considered immune to measles and do not require the vaccine, says Interior Health.

People born between 1970 and 1995 may have only gotten one dose of the vaccine.

If people are unsure whether they got the second dose of the MMR vaccine or not, it will not hurt to get another dose, said Gutenberg.

“The unfortunate thing is there isn’t really a good system of looking it up if you don’t have your childhood immunization booklets,” she said. “It’s really putting a light on knowing your own medical history.”