Vaccines key to addressing uptick in measles cases, doctors say

Amid a worldwide uptick in measles cases, doctors say people should check their vaccination status and get boosters if appropriate.

There have been five confirmed cases of measles in Ontario this year, according to Public Health Ontario. Officials in Quebec are reporting ten cases, some tied to international travel.

Ottawa Public Health (OPH) told CBC Monday there are no reported or suspected cases of measles in the city.

Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist with the University Health Network in Toronto, said there's a global measles resurgence and "the final common pathway here is lower vaccine rates."

To have community protection and prevent transmission, vaccination coverage needs to be at least 95 per cent, according to OPH.

Children typically receive two doses of the measles vaccine: one around their first birthday and the second between four and six years old.

The most recent measles coverage estimates for Ottawa youth are from the 2021-2022 school year, OPH told CBC News in an email.

That year, 95 per cent of 17-year-olds were vaccinated against measles, which OPH said is similar to pre-pandemic levels.

But only 59 per cent of seven-year-olds were vaccinated against the disease  — which is lower than pre-pandemic levels.

OPH cautioned that "these figures are likely underestimates of true population coverage," as the pandemic affected immunization record-keeping.

Who should get vaccinated

Bogoch said there's a myth that measles is an insignificant childhood illness from the past. It can have serious symptoms including brain inflammation and it's a common cause of pneumonia, he said.

"It's totally preventable, so it's just important that we are up-to-date on our vaccines."

He recommended using March break, when many families travel abroad, as a reminder to get up-to-date with vaccinations.

People who have previously had a confirmed case of measles are immune, Bogoch added. He pointed out that there have also been rare cases where people with two doses of the measles vaccine got infected.

"It's a very good vaccine," Bogoch said. "But in medicine, just like in life, nothing's 100 per cent."

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Earl Brown, a virologist at the University of Ottawa, told CBC Radio's All in a Day that if people aren't sure about their vaccination status, it's a good time to check in and see if a booster is needed.

"If you're generally healthy and you were vaccinated maybe once before or not at all, then you should think about freshening up your vaccine status," Brown said.

Brown did caution that people who are immunosuppressed or pregnant should be careful since they can get sick from the vaccine. 

"If you are in a certain group that doesn't have full immunity, then there's a risk of more serious infection and some downsides."

Overall, Brown said the intent is to protect those who are at high risk of contracting the disease, such as people who can't get vaccinated.

All in a Day5:57Who needs a measles booster?

As the number of cases of measles slowly rise within parts of Canada, medical experts are reminding the public to get vaccinated.