The new immunization clinic will be situated in BC Children’s busy ambulatory care building. Last year, 86,000 children and youth were treated at BC Children’s – counting their siblings and parents, the clinic has potential to provide thousands of immunizations annually when it opens to the public.
BC Children’s
flu immunization clinic, which runs for six weeks throughout November and December, has helped set the foundation for an onsite immunization clinic. In its fourth year running more than 5,000 flu vaccinations were provided to children, family members, pregnant women and visitors of patients. These impressive statistics show there is real value in making immunizations as accessible as possible for families and in reaching across age barriers to maximize protection of vulnerable children.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to protect some of the most vulnerable children in our society who come through the doors of BC Children’s every day,” said Dr. Manish Sadarangani, Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, BC Children’s. “Offering immunizations to all family members is a simple and highly effective way to extend the impact of the clinic.”
Immunization is one of the most important measures available to monitor the prevention of illness and health complications—it is often described as one of the most successful and cost-effective health interventions. The new immunization clinic has been made possible by a generous $15 million donation from Save-On Foods. In addition to supporting the immunization clinic, funding from the donation will go toward consultation services to physicians across the province, with the goal to improve immunization rates for children, including those with complex medical conditions; as well as urgently needed equipment.
