Home remedies ‘not comparable’ to vaccinations in preventing measles, provincial experts say

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The provincial government and health authorities are encouraging residents across B.C. to vaccinate themselves against measles instead of relying on home remedies like cod liver oil. 

In a July 10th press conference, Minister of Health Josie Osborne, deputy provincial health officer Dr. Martin Lavoie and doctors from Northern Health and the B.C. Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) gave an update on the virus in the province.  

According to the BCCDC’s latest case count update on July 7th, there have been 99 cases of measles reported across the province, with 71 being reported by the Northern Health authority.

“British Columbians have always come together to support one another, and getting immunized against measles is the best thing that we can do to help keep everyone in our communities safe and protected,” Osborne said. 

Lavoie went into detail on how measles is spread and where the majority of cases have been so far. 

The doctor explained the majority of cases have been reported in the northeast, in a “pocket of people” without immunization to the virus. 

“The virus found a pocket of people that were not [immunized] and [it was] large enough that it started to spread and now it’s running its course through that group of people, and that’s what we’re seeing,” Dr. Lavoie said. 

Dr. Lavoie stated the province is aware of a “significant level of under-detection,” because “not everybody shows up and asks for medical services.” 

The doctor also explained “other things” outside vaccines, including vitamin A and cod liver oil, were not comparable to vaccinations in the prevention of measles. 

“Vaccination really is the only really effective and safe way to build immunity against the disease.” 

As of July 10th, there have been six measles exposure locations reported in Fort St. John:

• The Fort St. John Hospital emergency department between 3:30 p.m. on July 4th and 2 a.m. on July 5th.
• The Fort St. John Hospital emergency department between 6:35 a.m. on July 1st and 12:03 a.m. on July 2nd. 
• The Fort St. John Hospital emergency department between 4:35 a.m. on July 1st and 6:05 a.m. on July 2nd. 
• The Fort St. John prenatal clinic from 10:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on June 27th.
• The Fort St. John Hospital emergency department and waiting room between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. on June 23rd. 
• Bert Bowes Middle School between 8:30 a.m. to 5:50 p.m. from June 18th to June 20th.