Nanaimo Public Health

Healthy Beginnings schedule May 2019!

[05/02/19]   ✨Attention all Parents/Guardians of school aged children. 🗣

The Province is launching a measles immunization catch-up program to ensure all children have an option to get up to date with their measles vaccine.Nanaimo Public Health is working closely with SD68 to coordinate this program.
Parents/Guardians will receive either a print out of their children’s vaccine record (if their child is up to date for vaccinations) OR a consent form (for vaccines their child is due for).
Records and consents will be distributed through school. Please return all signed consent forms back to the school only.

*please check the information inside the envelopes for more information on where your child will obtain their vaccinations*

Please share to spread the word🗣🗣🗣

Happy admin day to our wonderful admin staff!!! 🥰🌷💕

It's National Immunization Awareness week🥳! A great reminder to get up to date with vaccinations! 😃
Got questions? Please call our nursing intake line at 250-755-3388! #NIAW2019 #VaccinesWork #GetVax

See below for signs and symptoms of measles! 😷🤧🤒
A reminder to get up to date with vaccinations 💉🤗

*At this time there is no change to vaccine schedules. Children are offered their first MMR vaccine at 12 months old. Children are then provided a second dose between age 4-6 years (kindergarten). *The kindergarten vaccines are not provided at school*
2 doses are required for best protection! 🤗
Drop in clinics are every Monday 1-3pm (80 Chapel Street) and Tuesday’s 9-11am (1665 Grant Ave).

Adults born after 1970 are elgible for 2 doses of MMR vaccine. Vaccines can be provided by a pharmacist for adults. Please contact your pharmacy prior to walking in for vaccine. 💉
**the MMR vaccine can not be provided during pregnancy 🤰🏼. It is safe to have while breastfeeding**

Got questions? Please call our nursing intake line at 250-755-3388. We thank you for your patience during this busy time. 🥰

Cases of the #measles have recently been reported in Canada. Here’s what you need to know:

⚠️ Measles is highly contagious.
⚠️ Measles can spread through the air and can live on common surfaces.
⚠️ Two doses of the measles #vaccine is nearly 100% effective.

Learn more: http://ow.ly/6uck30okmat
#vaccineswork #getvax

Island Health

Update April 10/19: 🌟 Another confirmed measles case on South Island, now 6 cases. Please read link below! 🗣

We have confirmed one new case of measles infection on the South Island, bringing the total to six confirmed cases. Island Health is alerting individuals that they may have been exposed to measles if they visited or passed through the building common spaces, including washrooms, at the following location:

March 26
8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
4475 Viewmont Avenue – Royal Oak shopping centre complex, Pennbridge building

March 27
8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
4475 Viewmont Avenue – Royal Oak shopping centre complex, Pennbridge building

Island Health is asking people who may have been exposed to measles to monitor for symptoms for 21 days after the exposure date. Symptoms of measles include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, diarrhea and red eyes, followed a few days later by a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the chest. https://www.islandhealth.ca/news/news-releases/one-new-south-island-measles-exposure-confirmed-total-six-cases

For all measles updates, please visit: https://www.islandhealth.ca/health-alerts/health-alerts/measles-cases-vancouver-bc-washington-state

Island Health

UPDATE: 2 more cases of Measles in Victoria (April 6, 2019) 🌟
Please read attached update...

Island Health is confirming two new cases of measles exposure on the South Island. People who were at the following locations, at the dates and times listed may have been exposed to measles:

April 2, 2019

1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Life Labs and West Coast Medical Imaging: 1641 Hillside Avenue

April 3, 2019

2:50 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
LifeLabs: 4480 West Saanich Road

If you were at either of these locations during the specified times and you are unimmunized or incompletely immunized and you can call the Saanich Health Unit at 250-519-5100 or the Victoria Health Unit at 250-388-2200.

Both the Victoria Health Unit and Saanich Health Unit will be open on Sunday, April 7th between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.

MMR vaccine will be available at both locations. Each unit will have nursing and administrative staff available to support immunizations and inquiries around vaccination status. Individuals who present after 4:00 pm may not be able to receive their immunization before the unit closes and will need to wait until Monday.

Please read our update to learn more: https://www.islandhealth.ca/news/news-releases/measles-exposure-confirmed

Island Health

Measles update ⭐️. Another confirmed measles case on South VI.

Island Health has confirmed one new case of measles infection on the South Island.

People who were at the following locations at the dates and times listed may have been exposed to measles:

March 30, 2019

12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Beacon Community Services Thrift Store: 7060 West Saanich Road (located in same building as Victoria Costumes)

March 30, 2019

12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Fairway Market: 7108 West Saanich Road

Island Health is asking people who may have been exposed to measles to monitor for symptoms for 21 days after the exposure date.

Symptoms of measles include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, diarrhea and red eyes, followed a few days later by a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the chest.

If you develop symptoms, please contact your health care provider BEFORE you visit them so they can take precautions to prevent transmission of measles to others. For more information, see www.islandhealth.ca/measles-updates

A great visual to show the effectiveness of vaccinations 😃

[03/30/19]   ** Measles update** 🗣 please share!
There are now 2 confirmed cases of Measles on Vancouver Island. It is expected that further travel related cases may occur. (Please see more information below and visit islandhealth.ca regularly)

***At this time there is no change to immunization schedules***
MMR is provided routinely to children 12 months and kindergarten age (4-6 years old).

The province has announced a school aged immunization catch-up program. MMR vaccine will be provided in schools and at the Health Unit. The program will run from April to June. Parents of school aged children who are not up to date with the MMR vaccine will be contacted by our public health nurses.

Adults born on or after January 1, 1970 are eligible for 2 MMR vaccines.
Adults born prior to 1970 are considered immune due to previous infection. Those without a history of disease or infection should talk to their health care provider.

Adults can get their MMR vaccine through a pharmacy or physician office. Please call ahead to confirm availability of MMR vaccine.

For children age 12 months-18 years of age that have not yet had their MMR
vaccine please call 250-755-3342 to book an appointment, or come to our Monday drop in clinic from 1-3pm (80 Chapel Street) , or Tuesdays 9-11am (1665 Grant Ave)
If you have any questions please call our Nursing Intake line at 250-755-3388. 👩🏽‍⚕️

Healthy Beginnings calendar for April!

Spring is here and head lice has sprung! 🐣🌷 😑
Lice are very small hard to see insects that are typically grey/brown in color 🐜 that lay eggs and stick to hair. Once the eggs have hatched 🐣 they leave an empty shell called a "nit".
Lice eggs 🥚 are approximately the size of a sesame seed. They take over 1 week to hatch, approximately 9-10 days. Sometimes lice are misdiagnosed as "dandruff" 🤯.
True or False....
1.) Lice only live on dirty hair. FALSE🙅‍♀️! Anyone who has hair can get headlice regardless of their hygiene practices.
2.) Lice jump and fly from head to head. FALSE 🙅‍♀️! Lice do not have wings and they need to have head to head contact 👫.
3.) You must santize your home when someone has lice. FALSE🙅‍♀️! It is recommended to wash hats, pillow cases and brushes in hot soapy water, however there is no need to vacuum and santize your home.
4.) Wet combing is the best way treat lice. TRUE💁‍♀️ Current research shows wet combing is the most effective method to treat and identify headlice.
5.) You should check for lice on a weekly basis. TRUE💁‍♀️ regularly checking your child's hair once per week after shampooing is recommended.

Please see attached resources for wet combing 🐜💦

*Please call our nursing intake line at 250-755-3388 for more information or if you are wanting to pick up a lice comb* Lice combs are $2 each.

Some great info about the MMR vaccine! 💉🦠

The measles vaccine is very effective and with the second dose of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine efficacy (vaccine’s ability to prevent illness in research studies) approaches 100%. The MMR vaccine works with the body's immune system to produce antibodies to the measles virus. When an individual is fully vaccinated against measles and then exposed to the virus, the body recognizes and destroys the measles virus so that individual doesn't get sick. For individuals to bring home measles and pass it onto others, they would have to be infected with measles and become sick with the disease.
https://iboostimmunity.com/content/bc-measles-outbreak-what-you-need-know

Check out this great resource from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (SOGC) 🌱 🚬

Please share! 🗣

Got questions? Please call our Nursing Intake line at 250-755-3388.

Travel health kit - Travel.gc.ca

Planning to travel over spring break? ⛺️ ✈️ 🐠 🌴 🚗
Check out the link below for recommended health supplies to take with you! Always good to be extra prepared! 🙌

Reminder: it is important to make sure you and your children are up to date for vaccinations 💉before you travel. Children 2months-18 years can come to our drop-in clinics every Monday (1-3pm at 80 Chapel St) or Tuesdays (9-11 1665 Grant Ave).

Have a safe and fun spring break! 😎

https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/kit

travel.gc.ca Government of Canada's official one-stop-shop for comprehensive international travel information.

[03/10/19]   You might have noticed Pertussis popping up in the news again 🤨. Lets chat about what it is...

Pertussis, also known as “whooping cough” is a bacterial respiratory infection 😷.

Pertussis often starts with “cold-like” symptoms (runny nose 👃🏻, mild cough 🗣 and sneezing 🤧). Symptoms get much worse after a few weeks into a strong cough sometimes sounding like a “whooping” noise causing gagging and sometimes vomitting 🤮 . Babies can stop breathing for periods of time 😰.

Complications of pertussis in infants can be seizures, brain damage, pneumonia (lung infection) and even death 😔.

Pertussis can spread for 3 weeks after the start of symptoms (if untreated). It can be spread through coughing 😵, sneezing 🤧 kissing 😘, or sharing food 🍽

Prevent pertussis by having routine pertussis containing vaccines 💉. Infants receive their first dose at age 2 months and have boosters at 4, 6, 18 months. The next boosters are at age 4-6 years, and in Grade 9.
It is recommended for women in their 3rd trimester (after 26 weeks) and all adults to have a booster. Adults and pregnant women can pay for a booster Pertussis containing vaccine called Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) and get the vaccine from either a pharmacy, doctor’s office, or travel clinic. Talk with your health care provider for more information.

If you think you have Pertussis, it is best to stay home and avoid pregnant women 🤰🏼 in their 3rd trimester, and babies under 1 year 👶🏻.

Got questions? Call our Nursing Intake Line at 250-755-3388.

*Reference from Healthfile 15c*

[03/08/19]   Happy International Women’s Day to our amazing clients and staff!🥰🤱🏼👯‍♀️ 👩🏽‍⚕️

Healthy Beginnings schedule for March!

Island Health

Please read and share 🗣 . No lab confirmed cases of Measles on Vancouver Island. 🥳

PLEASE SHARE: We can confirm that at this time there are no lab-confirmed cases of measles on Vancouver Island.

Due to privacy laws and our confidentiality policies, we cannot discuss or disclose details about individual patients or the care they receive. What we can say is that when people are sick, their primary care provider may order a variety of tests to determine the cause of the illness and to rule out other illnesses.

We know that there is heightened awareness and sensitivity about measles, especially on social media; but again, there are no lab-confirmed cases of measles in Island Health’s service area.

For regular updates please visit: https://www.islandhealth.ca/health-alerts/health-alerts/measles-cases-vancouver-bc-washington-state

Nanaimo Public Health supporting 👚#pinkshirtday! Show us your #pinkshirtday photos in the comments below! 💕👭👬👫

Schools could have mandatory measles registration by September: Dix

We could be seeing a mandatory vaccination reporting system in BC effective September 2019 for school aged children in public and private schools as per BC’s Heath Minister Adrian Dix.
Ontario has had a similar reporting system since 2014.
We will be updating regularly with any new information 👩🏽‍⚕️.

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/mobile/schools-could-have-mandatory-measles-registration-by-september-dix-1.4313770

bc.ctvnews.ca A mandatory vaccination reporting system could be in place at schools across B.C. by September, according to the province's health minister.

[02/21/19]   Update❗️There are no confirmed cases of Measles on Vancouver Island at this time 👍🏻
It is an important reminder to make sure you and your children are up to date with vaccinations.
People born between 1970-1994 or who have lived outside of BC have likely only had 1 dose of MMR.

**At this time we are asking all adults who are eligible for a second dose to call local pharmacies to inquire if they have the MMR vaccine (Free) or contact the Travel Medicine Vaccination Centre (#420- 2980 N. Island Hwy 250-753-0087) ($40 fee).

*if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy within a month, you will not be able to get the vaccine until after the baby is born* 🤰🏼

**Adults: if you are unsure if you have had a MMR vaccine you can also book an appointment with your family doctor and request a blood test to check if you are immune. It is also safe to have another MMR vaccine if you are unsure of previous doses.

** For children, please call our Nanaimo Health Unit at 250-755-3342 to book an appointment or come to our drop in clinic Tuesday’s between 9-11.
*At this time there has been no change to immunization schedules. MMR is provided for infants 12 months and older. 👶🏻

We have been experiencing higher than usual phone calls and requests for vaccination appointments. We thank you for your patience during this busy time 😊 . If you have any questions please call our Nursing Intake line at 250-755-3388 👩🏼‍⚕️

[02/18/19]   Do you know which diseases we vaccinate against as part of our BC vaccine program?🤔
At what age do children get vaccines? 🤔
Please see below!😀 💉

At 2 months old 👶🏻 : Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Haemophilus influenzae Type B , Hepatitis B, Meningococcal C, Pneumococcal disease, and Rotavirus. (Total:4 vaccines)

At 4 months 👶🏻: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Haemophilus influenzae Type B , Hepatitis B, Pneumococcal disease, and Rotavirus. (Total: 3 vaccines)

At 6 months 👶🏻:Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Haemophilus influenzae Type B , Hepatitis B and Rotavirus. (Total: 2 vaccines)
*Flu vaccine offered during Flu season
*Hepatits A vaccine offered if eligible.

At 12 months 👶🏻:Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Pneumococcal Disease, Meningococcal C, and Varicella (Chicken Pox) 🐔 (Total: 4 vaccines)

At 18 months 👦🏼: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Haemophilus influenzae Type B (Total: 1 vaccine)
* a second Hepatitis A vaccine offered if eligible.

At age 4-6 years 👧🏾: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella (Chicken Pox) 🐔 (Total: 2 vaccines)

Grade 6 👱🏽‍♀️: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) 9 strains. (Total: 2 vaccines 6 months apart)

Grade 9 💁🏽‍♂️: Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis, and Meningococcal (4 strains) (Total: 2 vaccines)

* Adults should remember to have a Tetanus Diptheria vaccine every 10 years!* 👨🏽‍🦰👩🏼

Got questions? Please call our Nursing Intake line at 250-755-3388. 👩🏼‍⚕️

[02/15/19]   At this time there is no confirmed case of Measles in Nanaimo 👍🏻
***There is an old CTV News post recirculating. 😣***

There are confirmed cases in and around Vancouver. A good reminder to have your children up to date for vaccinations.
Children get their first MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine at age 12 months, and 4-6 years old.
If you have any questions please call our nursing intake line at 250-755-3388. 👩🏼‍⚕️