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B.C. ERs Overwhelmed: Parents Urged to Vaccinate Amidst Flu Surge
17 Dec
Summary
- B.C. health officials urge parental vigilance as child ER visits surge.
- Vaccine hesitancy is a growing concern among parents in B.C.
- New maternal RSV vaccine costly; infant antibody treatments limited.
B.C. health officials are urging parents to be vigilant this respiratory season as pediatric emergency room and primary care visits surge province-wide. Both influenza and RSV cases are on the rise among children, a trend that, while expected for this time of year, is compounded by a concerning increase in vaccine hesitancy.
This growing reluctance towards vaccination, attributed in part to misinformation, is contributing to more children presenting with severe respiratory symptoms. Health experts stress that vaccination is the most effective method for mitigating the risk of severe illness and hospitalization for both children and adults.
Furthermore, while a maternal RSV vaccine offers protection to infants, its $300 cost and limited availability of antibody treatments for newborns pose additional challenges, leaving a gap in preventative care for the province's youngest and most vulnerable.
