B.C. Childhood Vaccination Rates Decline Post-COVID-19 Pandemic

Childhood vaccination rates in British Columbia (B.C.) continue to fall short of pre-pandemic levels, with significant declines noted since the COVID-19 outbreak, according to data from the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC). The ongoing slump presents challenges for public health officials as they seek to ensure the safety and well-being of children across the province.

Immunization data indicates a “small-to-medium decline” in routine childhood vaccinations since 2021, as reported by Dr. Jia Hu, interim medical director of immunization programs at the BCCDC. The most striking decrease is observed among seven-year-olds, with over one-third of second graders not up to date on essential vaccinations such as measles and mumps. The proportion of vaccinated children has dropped nearly 10 percent, from 72.5 percent in 2021 to 63.8 percent in 2024.

This decline is attributed to several factors, including the lingering effects of the pandemic when access to vaccines was limited. Dr. Hu emphasized that while the data provides insights into vaccination trends, it may not reflect the complete picture. He noted that the number of children whose parents have explicitly refused vaccinations has remained stable, suggesting that the true immunization rate in B.C. could be higher than recorded, especially considering the potential for missing health records from families who recently migrated to the province.

Despite the challenges, trends indicate that older children in B.C. often catch up on their vaccinations as they progress through school. Public health clinics in Grade 6 and Grade 9 provide opportunities for students to receive scheduled vaccines, including those they may have missed earlier. By Grade 9, coverage for all antigens has improved since the lows experienced in 2021, when the focus on COVID-19 limited resources for school-based immunization clinics.

The BCCDC has observed a notable increase in the uptake of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, with a reported rise of 30 to 40 percent compared to the previous year. This increase follows a concerning spike in measles cases, with 102 infections reported across the province as of July. Despite these positive signs, Dr. Hu expressed a desire to see vaccination rates climb even higher, particularly for measles immunization, which currently stands at 70 percent for seven-year-olds.

The data also reveals regional disparities in vaccination rates. The Kootenay Boundary region has the lowest coverage for seven-year-olds at 54 percent, followed closely by the Okanagan region at 60 percent. In contrast, the Northern Interior region boasts the highest rate at 75.6 percent.

In response to the ongoing challenges, health officials are working to boost vaccination rates for the human papillomavirus (HPV). Efforts include simplifying the vaccine schedule and expanding eligibility for individuals aged 19 to 26. The HPV vaccination rate for females in Grade 9 was 60 percent in 2023, while males in the same grade had a rate of 57.7 percent.

To further encourage immunization, the province has initiated outreach efforts, sending notifications to residents to book appointments for seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, which are available at no cost. The first vaccinations of the new campaign began on October 3, 2023, as the province aims to improve overall health outcomes for its residents.

As B.C. navigates the complexities of post-pandemic healthcare, addressing the decline in childhood vaccination rates remains a critical focus for public health officials. Ongoing efforts to identify and target areas with lower immunization coverage will be essential to ensuring that all children receive necessary vaccinations to protect against preventable diseases.