Hundreds of children in northwest B.C. should be reimmunized after vaccines improperly stored: Northern Health

Northern Health says children in northwestern B.C. may not be fully protected against diseases like measles, mumps, and chicken pox after receiving improperly stored vaccines.

In a release, Northern Health says there are "uncertainties" regarding the temperatures the vaccines were stored at, and while they don't pose a risk to the people who received them, it does mean they may not have received the full benefits and protections the vaccines are supposed to provide.

The health authority says 425 people, mostly children, may be affected.

Dr. Jong Kim, Northern Health's chief medical health officer, says work is underway to contact everyone affected to tell them about the issue.

"We are ensuring those who are at higher risk, including those who are immunocompromised, are prioritized," he said.

The vaccines were distributed between October 2022 and September 2023 at the Terrace Health Unit, Stewart Health Centres and clinics in Kitsumkalum, Kitselas, Iskut, Gitlaxt'amiks, Gitwinksihlkw, Gingolx, Laxgalts'ap, Gitanyow and Gitwangak.

Anyone who has not been contacted about rebooking a vaccination and believes they should be is asked to email NHAPublicHealthResponse@northernhealth.ca.

The full list of affected immunizations is:

• Boostrix Polio: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio.
• Rotarix: Human rotavirus.
• Hep A Havrix: Hepatitis A.
• ProQuad: Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella (chicken pox).
• Varivax: Varicella (chicken pox).
• Tubersol: Tuberculin Skin Test (not a vaccine).
• Pediacel: Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Haemophilus Influenzae Type b.
• Nimenrix: Meningococcal (Groups A,C,Y,W-135).
• Pneumo 23: Pneumococcal 23.
• Rabavert: Rabies vaccine.
• Imovax Polio: Polio.
• Hypertet IG: Tetanus.
• TD absorbed: Tetanus, Diphtheria.
• Kamrab IG: Rabies immunoglobulin.
• Recombivax: Hepatitis B.
• Varivax: Varicella (chicken pox).
• ActHib: Haemophilus Influenzae Type b.