Elementary schools in Metro Vancouver neighbourhoods with large Chinese populations have higher measles vaccination rates than other areas of the city, an analysis by The Vancouver Sun suggests.
Comparing measles vaccination rates with census data on ethnicity and religion it was found that schools in areas where a high number of households reported a Chinese background had higher immunization rates. The same was true, generally, for all immigrant-heavy neighbourhoods.
The data, based on the number of kindergarten students with up-to date measles vaccinations for the 2012-13 school year, show that half of Lower Mainland elementary schools fall below the 90-per-cent vaccination threshold required for protection against measles in a community. Immunization rates are higher in Richmond and Vancouver and lower in the Tri Cities, Surrey, the North Shore and the Fraser Valley.
Despite a vaccination rate of less than 10 per cent at Chilliwack's Mount Cheam Christian School - the worst case, there was no significant regionwide correlation between vaccination rates and other visible minorities or religious groups and no difference between public and private schools.
Dr. Michelle Murti, medical health officer for Fraser Health, said she often hears from nurses that those who come from other countries are usually "more than happy" to have their children immunized.
"They are the ones that have seen a lot of these diseases in countries that they're coming from and don't want their children to be exposed to that," she said.
But there are differences of opinion on the apparent link. Dr. Meena Dawar of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority said a variety of factors contribute to vaccine acceptance. She attributes the relatively high rates in Richmond and Vancouver to better access to clinics and a strong working relationship between family doctors and public health units in tracking and recording immunizations.
This is not necessarily the case in places like the North Shore, where she said the health authority is working to improve access and outreach.
The BC Centre for Disease Control recommends that children receive the majority of their vaccinations before entering the school system.
