By Corey Fischer

More Teens Urged To Get Meningococcal Vaccine

Dec 22, 2017 | 2:29 PM

Interior Health says about 89-hundred (8,881) individuals have been immunized for meningococcal disease since an outbreak was declared last week.

The agency says that’s 58% of 15-19 year olds in the Okanagan, the age group that’s considered most at risk for getting the virus.

Anyone in that age range that hasn’t had a shot in three years or more — is encouraged to get one.

Immunizations will be offered at drop-in clinics, and at select Shoppers Drug Mart locations in Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton.

The next clinic in Vernon will be Saturday from 11 am to 3 pm at the Health Centre on 14th Avenue.

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You can get more details on clinic sites and dates here.

DROP-IN CLINICS:

Will continue on December 23, December 26-29, and January 2-5 for this age group, who have not yet been immunized.

BOOKED APPOINTMENTS:

Many local health centres will also be accepting immunization appointments. Please call your local health centre, if you would like to schedule an appointment.

PHARMACIES:

Select Shoppers Drug Mart locations in Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton and Princeton will also have limited supplies of vaccine for immunizing members of the public within this age group. Find a participating Shoppers Drug Mart location near you.

SECONDARY SCHOOL CLINICS:

Will continue to be offered in January, when school is back in session.

IH reminds the public, the vaccine has been offered to grade 9 students in B.C. since 2016, as part of the routine immunization program. If you have received this vaccine in the last three years, or as part of the grade 9 immunization program in 2016/17, you don’t need to be re-immunized. If you are unsure if you have received this vaccine, call your local public health centre during regular business hours for a record.

by Corey Fischer