As measles cases spread worldwide, health officials continue to urge parents to ensure their children are up to date with measles vaccinations, particularly when making vacation plans.

Jessica Hopkins, a family practice physician and Public Health Ontario’s chief health protection and emergency preparedness officer, wrote an article for the Globe and Mail on April 24th stating:

In 1998, Canada achieved what is known as “measles elimination status,” which means we put an end to the spread of this virus within our borders. This significant public health milestone was the result of families coming together with public health agencies, doctors, nurses, scientists and governments across the country to prioritize ending what was then a common childhood disease.

How did they do it? Vaccines. And why did all of these groups support measles elimination? Because it’s a serious disease and almost entirely preventable. Complications from measles include ear infections, types of pneumonia and brain inflammation.

In the era before the measles vaccine – routine vaccination programs were introduced in Canada in the early 1970s – as many as three out of every 1,000 children with measles died. Most of these children were under five years of age. The measles vaccine is highly effective even with a single dose.

The safety of the vaccine has continued to be demonstrated through years of use….

Quebec has seen 46 cases of measles this year. Media reports put measles vaccine coverage in Montreal schools at around 80 per cent. While not a perfect measure of vaccine coverage, Ontario monitors the vaccine records of school children, which are reported to local public health units. Prepandemic, records showed that 86 per cent of seven-year-old children had two doses of the measles vaccine. In the 2022-23 school year, these records dropped to 60 per cent. Even more worrisome, the proportion of seven year olds who have no record of even a single dose of measles vaccine increased from 3 per cent to almost 17 per cent. While some of these children are vaccinated and their records are not up-to-date in the system, it is clear that there are currently more unprotected children than there were prepandemic, and that we are well below the 95-percent level of coverage needed for herd immunity (which is the level of coverage needed to protect those who can’t be vaccinated for measles, such as babies under six months of age).

Higher numbers of global cases, increased travel and suboptimal vaccine coverage are creating

the ideal conditions for a serious measles outbreak….

Sam Houpt, writing on February 29, 2024, for a CTV report, interviewed Ontario Associate Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Laura Bourns, who said that “the measles vaccine is between 85 and 95 per cent effective – a second dose brings it close to 100 per cent”.

The article notes that, “as an airborne virus, measles can remain in the air up to two hours after an infected individual has left. It has been called one of the most transmissible diseases on the planet”.

Initial symptoms of measles include:

·      Fever

·      Red watery eyes

·      Runny nose

·      Cough

·      Followed by a rash that starts on the face and then moves to the rest of the body.

It is not just the virus itself that is dangerous. Dr. Bourns notes that the most at-risk groups are unvaccinated infants, pregnant people, and those who are immunocompromised. Also, complications can arise after the initial infection. “That can be things like secondary bacterial infections or more permanent complications like deafness, brain damage or in some cases even death.”

Those, like this writer, from the “Boomer” demographic who were children before the measles vaccine was available, are likely, as I do, to remember schoolmates who had long term health issues as a result of complications from measles.

B.C. reported its first case of measles of 2024 this March. At least nine cases of measles have been reported in Canada in 2024 outside of B.C. as of February 29th. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a 79 per cent increase in global measles cases in 2023, compared with 2022.

Amy Judd, reporting for Global News on March 4, 2024, notes:

·      The measles vaccine is given in two doses in B.C. – the first one on a child’s first birthday and the second around the time of starting school.

·      Health officials are urging everyone to make sure vaccinations are up to date before travelling.

·      Vaccine appointments can be booked https://immunizebc.ca/finder#8/49.246/-123.116 through local public health units, community health centres or nursing stations.

Detailed information about measles prevention (by age-group) is available at: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/health-safety/travel-health-notices/504 with the following recommendations for those travelling where there is risk of measles exposure:

The following is recommended:

• Those born BEFORE 1970:

• 1 dose of the measles-containing vaccine if there is no evidence of immunity (e.g. through blood testing or history of lab-confirmed measles disease)

• Those born in 1970 or AFTER (12 months or older):

• 2 doses of the measles-containing vaccine if there is no evidence of immunity (e.g. through blood testing or history of lab-confirmed measles disease).

• Infants (6 months to 12 months of age):

• If you are travelling with an infant, discuss early measles vaccination with your child’s health care provider. The measles-containing vaccine may be given as early as 6 months of age if you will be travelling to a region where measles is a concern. If this is the case, the routine 2-dose series must be restarted on or after the first birthday. A total of 3 doses are given.

• The measles containing vaccine is not recommended for infants under 6 months of age. Discuss with a health care provider how best to protect them from measles.