The province is rolling out a new immunization registry to require parents and guardians to submit a childB次元官网网址檚 vaccination records if they attend public school.

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Health Minister Adrian Dix said Friday that the will go into effect on July 1.

B次元官网网址淭his mandatory reporting of the immunization status of students will ensure the public health system is prepared in the event of an outbreak,B次元官网网址� Dix said during a news conference in Vancouver.

B次元官网网址淔urthermore, with the up-to-date records, public health can reach out to families with children behind on their immunizations and provide an opportunity to catch them up, as well as discuss any concerns with parents.B次元官网网址�

Most parents have already submitted necessary paperwork to their local health unit, Dix said.

The registry is the latest in a number of moves made by the health ministry since January, following a measles outbreak at a small group of elementary schools in Vancouver.

There have been 27 confirmed cases of measles this year, from 100 Mile House to Greater Victoria.

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In April, the province rolled out a B次元官网网址渃atch-upB次元官网网址� immunization program. So far, have received two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.

In August, public health officials will review school enrolment records and match them against immunization records for children in kindergarten to Grade 12.

Dix said the goal for the first year will be to help parents get their children up to date on immunizations by the end of the 2019-20 school year.

Immunization is not mandatory in Canada. Ontario and New Brunswick are the only other provinces that require proof of immunization for children to attend school. Parents can seek an exemption on religious or conscientious grounds.

ashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.ca
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