A Coquitlam family is facing worry and frustration because of a lengthy wait to get their baby vaccinated.
Chris and Nicole Cordova waited 45 minutes to reach an agent at the call centre to book an appointment for their two-month old only to be told the next available appointment would be in Surrey — and more than two weeks away.
For a Port Moody clinic visit, which they would prefer, the wait would be even longer. The couple is worried the wait puts their baby at risk.
“It isn’t a huge delay but it means more time when they’re potentially exposed to diseases out there,” said Chris Cordova.
“It’s frustrating,” Nicole Cordova added, “and not knowing or being worried about going out in public when kids are being exposed, and there are kids not being vaccinated. Do you stay home in a bubble or do we go out and be mindful of the activities that he’s involved in?”
The couple’s concerns come as Fraser Health reports higher than usual call volume at its central booking line after a measles outbreak at a Vancouver French school.
Shovita Padhi, medical health officer, said staff are working at full capacity and are not just handling immunization booking requests but also fielding questions about immunization and related concerns.
“With the increase in demand, we are adjusting the number of appointments,” Padhi said.
We are experiencing higher than normal call volumes to our public health units and are working to respond to every call. Measles vaccines are also available through family doctors, walk-in clinics, and for children over five, your local pharmacy (call ahead).
— Fraser Health (@Fraserhealth) February 20, 2019
But she also suggested panic is not warranted because there is no outbreak in Fraser Health. As well, parents have other options, such as going to their physician for shots or calling 811 for immunization advice.
While babies should be vaccinated at two, four, six, 12 and 18 months, a two-week wait is not a concern, especially since babies retain some immunity from their mother, Padhi said.
Still, she recommended parents call as soon as they get a notice from a public health office, usually at the one-month stage, to ensure they get an appointment on time.
“We are routinely reminding parents, through mailouts, through the phone or through text apps, to have children come in for immunization.”
Wondering if your child should get vaccinated early? The first dose of measles vaccine is provided at 12 months of age - the MMR vaccine is NOT recommended for infants under 12 months. Read more > https://t.co/d8ACJnm8nW
— Fraser Health (@Fraserhealth) February 21, 2019
As for the Cordovas, they are still surprised the wait is longer than a week.
“We understand it’s a medical health office — with maybe a week delay at times. But when we’re looking at a two-and-a-half week delay, that’s getting a little excessive,” Chris Cordova said.
Padhi agreed that it’s important for babies to be vaccinated and said people can look at the Fraser Health website for immunization coverage in their region.
A rate of 95% of the population for two-year-old immunization is best to help protect the community from disease, according to Fraser Health. In the Tri-Cities, the rates are between 72% and up to 90%, depending on the neighbourhood.
Meanwhile, in Vancouver — outside of the Fraser Health region — 36 people have been asked to stay home from two French schools after exposure to measles.
