National

Interior health says parents should ensure kids caught up vaccination

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 16 Feb, 2024 11:04 AM

Interior Health says parents should ensure their kids are caught up with their childhood immunizations, as data shows declining vaccination rates.

Health officials say most parents know that childhood vaccines are safe, but online misinformation and other factors, such as parents simply forgetting, could be factors in the decrease in immunization rates.

Interior Health's chief medical health officer, Dr. Martin Lavoie, says the health authority is working to help family keep their kids' vaccines up-to-date, warning of serious - even fatal - consequences for under- or un-immunized children and infants.

Interior Health says just over 56 per cent of seven-year-olds were immunized as of the end of 2023, below the target of 70 per cent, and the low rates have prompted the health authority to open extra clinics offering immunization services this year.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Bank of Canada may need to raise rates again, despite this week's hold: Macklem

The Bank of Canada may have to raise interest rates further, given that inflation may stay high for some time, said governor Tiff Macklem Thursday. His speech at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce came one day after the central bank decided to hold its key interest rate steady at five per cent as signs of an economic slowdown grow.

Bank of Canada may need to raise rates again, despite this week's hold: Macklem

Trudeau eyes Indo-Pacific trade deals to avoid China aim to 'play us off each other'

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada's rocky relations with China have stabilized, while telling business leaders in Singapore that Ottawa has committed to a timeline for trade deals with the region. Trudeau is undertaking a weeklong visit to Indonesia, Singapore and India with a focus on shoring up trade in a region Ottawa sees as key to counteracting coercive economic moves by China.

Trudeau eyes Indo-Pacific trade deals to avoid China aim to 'play us off each other'

Changes to minimum tax to add $2.6 billion over five years for feds: PBO

The parliamentary budget officer says the federal government's proposed changes to the alternative minimum tax will generate an additional $2.6 billion in revenue over five years. The tax aims to ensure high-income earners and trusts don't pay disproportionately less in taxes than other taxpayers.

Changes to minimum tax to add $2.6 billion over five years for feds: PBO

Federal prediction says parts of Canada could see wildfires through winter

The latest federal government forecast says Canada's already unprecedented 2023 wildfire season could continue late into the fall or winter. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says there is potential for increased wildland fire activity from eastern Alberta through to central Ontario at least until the end of this month, while fires in B.C. and the Northwest Territories will continue to smoulder.

Federal prediction says parts of Canada could see wildfires through winter

Derelict boats removal in Surrey

The City of Surrey says it will be removing derelict boats from the Nicomekl River this month. The city says boats have been illegally mooring on a narrow section of the river, dumping raw sewage and garbage into the water, and creating hazards for other boaters.

Derelict boats removal in Surrey

Police return emotional support rabbit that ran loose in Vancouver SkyTrain station

A rabbit that hopped the tracks at a downtown Vancouver transit station was reunited with its owner after efforts by passengers and police. Metro Vancouver Transit Police say the bunny was running loose last Thursday at the Granville SkyTrain station when a passenger picked it up and handed it to officers patrolling the underground stop.