Re: Vaccine/Measles etc
 

Nobody is asking for a MD to drive around but regions without basic healthcare should have access to it and the government should offer some sort of transport for those who do not have means to do so.

Her town may very well have shops and basic needs and she is able to get around town and such, but not to a nearby town.

If we didn't have a car we would be SOL when it came several health related things as some things are not available locally, but we could get around town without a car if need be, but other then greyhound which can be pricey, there is no other option aside from friends, or hitchhiking to get out of town.

Cancer patients for example largely rely on volunteers to get to treatment, but some people still find it hard to get to Vancouver at times.

Luckily we have a local health unit who can provide vaccines.

I don't think anyone is asking for a doctor to drive around on their own time outside of office hours, but no reason the government can fund a basic health van to go to smaller towns/regions once or twice a month to meet with people.

Outside of major city's, healthcare can be quite limited for patients.

Re: Vaccine/Measles etc
 

But according to an assortment of the "Guys out East" where I live is in the back of beyond but people still manage somehow to get to appointments and get to the health unit. Of course there are exceptions, I get that but I'm not sure that there is enough cash in the system to deliver the services to the genuinely vulnerable however much they need it. I would absolutely agree with you that there are people who have problems accessing rural healthcare be-it getting family physicians, nurse care, and as you say access to vital services such as cancer care. Our population seem somehow to rally round so that hopefully the vast majority can get to GP , hospital and Health unit appointments although this may indeed not be so easy in the genuinely isolated rural backwaters

Re: Vaccine/Measles etc
 

I was thinking more of a van that people visit. They would set up in the town or village and people go to them for the shots. MDs don't do shots, nurses do.

Re: Vaccine/Measles etc
 

do they not just offer them at pharmacies in supermarkets etc? That's what they do here.

Re: Vaccine/Measles etc
 

flu shots yes, others I don't think so

Re: Vaccine/Measles etc
 

Pharmacies are even advertising blood tests now.

Re: Vaccine/Measles etc
 

Childhood vaccinations have a lot more variables than flu shots etc- I can't see this moving towards pharmacies any time soon which I think is a good thing- schedules are fairly tight and should be abided by fairly closely

Re: Vaccine/Measles etc
 

It's a problem here too. A call to social services/nearest clinic/health unit might help find transportation options.

Re: Vaccine/Measles etc
 

Never seen the other ones at Shoppers et al. Shame, as that is exactly what they should be doing.

Re: Vaccine/Measles etc
 

I know in BC they can do more then just flu shots, but no idea if measles is included, I know they can do shingles vaccine, can't find a list online of what they are allowed to do at the pharmacy.

Re: Vaccine/Measles etc
 

Always kept my kids up to date,especially as my brother had a kidney transplant and the anti rejection meds that he takes lowered his immune system.

Re: Vaccine/Measles etc
 

They can indeed do Zostavax for shingles- at present that is about it. They cannot do childhood vaccs and nor I feel should they- The Health units hold records of childhood imms which is crucial as there are strict schedules to stick to. At least for now, pharmacists do not have an accurate central database to search for such information and I feel that Health Units are the best places to administer and log the information centrally. I get access to them is sometimes less than easy though.

Re: Vaccine/Measles etc
 

Sorry, haven't read the other comments, but what I've noticed is that not vaccinating seems to be 'in fashion' at the moment. I have a 13-month old and all my mommy 'friends' have kids around the same age - the age when most vaccinations happen. Being a 'crunchy mom' is currently 'in' and crunchy moms tend not to vaccinate.

PS. We follow the standard vaccination schedule. I can't imagine not vaccinating my baby!

Re: Vaccine/Measles etc
 

Good on you foreigngirl- general consensus goes with vaccinating. I deal with such moms and they have no evidence based reason not to vaccinate their babies. I feel that they should be compelled to vaccinate before school but even then it is too late to keep up herd immunity in the population and the innocent suffer. I look after the babies as their GP but I continue to advise their foolish parents to the correct thing. It isn't the baby's fault that their parents are so stupid.

Re: Vaccine/Measles etc
 

I agree with you. Public health vaccines should be done in a way where accurate records can be kept.